The idea of needing to “protect the women and children” has been around for quite some time now. It’s been around for so long that it has been universally normalized and understood to be the “morally right thing to do”. It stems from the idea that men have a nature that is inherently different from those of women and children. It the men who are stronger and able to either protect or attack the women and children. It puts women and children in a position where they are expected to both need and fear men. This abusive codependent relationship is the unhealthy dynamic that leads to strong sets of beliefs regarding both men and women(and children). Women are expected to be; as Schilt et al. put it, less likely a sexual threat than men are. ‘Bathroom bills’ are legislated to allow transgenders choose which restroom they prefer to use based on their gender identity. This bill is to relieve those who suffer from gender dysphoria by allowing them the option to use whichever gender restroom that is coherent with their gender identity. If one identifies as a man, he would simply want to use the men’s room and vice versa. However, those who oppose the bill seem to completely disregard the whole notion of gender dysphoria as they focus on their fears of these bills allowing it to be easier for pedophiles and sex predators to have access to attacking women in public bathrooms. This slippery slope argument can be seen to argue for which discomfort should we prioritize in relieving. However, I believe that it is unfair to leave the discussion at that. There is much to be said about segregating genders in public restrooms. Since, “the segregation of public bathrooms on the basis of gender is a relatively recent phenomenon in the United States.” (Schilt et al., pg. 28), I believe we can take measures to undo this segregation and destigmatize non-binary public restrooms.

 

 

Schilt, K., & Westbrook, L. (2015). Bathroom battlegrounds and penis panics. Contexts, 14(3), 26-31.