Dear Readers:
This is a story that has your ever vigilant reporter torn. I can see both sides of the argument and don't really know which way to go.
Maybe I'll just let you decide, and if you want to comment, then go right ahead!
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CTVNews.ca Staff
Published Tuesday, June 23, 2015 11:00AM EDT
An impromptu visit to a wading pool in Guelph, Ont. turned into an upsetting situation for two parents when their daughter was told to cover up.
Over the weekend, Cory McLean and Anika Warmington were at a local park with their kids when their eight-year-old daughter Marlee spotted a wading pool, took off her shirt and ran in to play.
Moments later, a supervisor told them their daughter had to cover up.
The girl’s parents say they were shocked when it happened, especially because there was no problem with their sons, who also went in to the pool shirtless.
McLean told CTV Kitchener that he feels his daughter was body-shamed.
“You hope that never happens, but you know it’s going to eventually,” he said. “Basically she’s eight years old, and she’s been sexualized by a stranger.”
Her parents told CTV Kitchener that their daughter, who was already feeling self-conscious was “pretty embarrassed” and put her shirt on.
But the city of Guelph says it has rules about attire in enclosed supervised facilities, and they apply to the wading pool.
“Females over the age of four years old must wear appropriate bathing attire, and that would include a bathing top,” Parks and Recreation general manager Kristene Scott told CTV Kitchener.
The policy, Scott said, was introduced to provide a “safe, enjoyable” recreational experience for staff, patrons and visitors.
But the family says that since they are responsible for their children while in the wading pool, their attire should be up to them.
They would like to see the rules on appropriate attire changed so that it applies equally to both genders.
“The city is sexualizing little girls,” Warmington said. “If they want children to wear clothing from the neck down, then all the children should have to wear it.”
The city says they are planning to discuss the matter with the staff member involved, but at this point they don’t anticipate that they will make any changes to the rules.
The family has reached out to the mayor of Guelph for an opportunity to discuss their concerns.
With a report by CTV Kitchener’s Krista Simpson
Over the weekend, Cory McLean and Anika Warmington were at a local park with their kids when their eight-year-old daughter Marlee spotted a wading pool, took off her shirt and ran in to play.
Moments later, a supervisor told them their daughter had to cover up.
Wading pool rules are posted at Exhibition Park in Guelph, Ont.
McLean told CTV Kitchener that he feels his daughter was body-shamed.
“You hope that never happens, but you know it’s going to eventually,” he said. “Basically she’s eight years old, and she’s been sexualized by a stranger.”
Her parents told CTV Kitchener that their daughter, who was already feeling self-conscious was “pretty embarrassed” and put her shirt on.
But the city of Guelph says it has rules about attire in enclosed supervised facilities, and they apply to the wading pool.
“Females over the age of four years old must wear appropriate bathing attire, and that would include a bathing top,” Parks and Recreation general manager Kristene Scott told CTV Kitchener.The policy, Scott said, was introduced to provide a “safe, enjoyable” recreational experience for staff, patrons and visitors.
But the family says that since they are responsible for their children while in the wading pool, their attire should be up to them.
They would like to see the rules on appropriate attire changed so that it applies equally to both genders.
“The city is sexualizing little girls,” Warmington said. “If they want children to wear clothing from the neck down, then all the children should have to wear it.”
The city says they are planning to discuss the matter with the staff member involved, but at this point they don’t anticipate that they will make any changes to the rules.
The family has reached out to the mayor of Guelph for an opportunity to discuss their concerns.
With a report by CTV Kitchener’s Krista Simpson
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Tanya Carr
i was under the impression that it was perfectly legal for a woman (let alone a pre-pubescent child!) to be topless in Ontario.... so what is the issue?
Flashe SeriouslyQoolio
But the rules at the pool say proper attire must be worn
..so this applies to everyone..therefore being topless not allowed at that facility.
Lynne Klassen
Okay, so what if another family, say from Europe, sends their kids in completely naked to the wading pool and they're fine with it. Do they get to start a fight as well about attire.
Sometimes rules are there to help set a standard and keep people safe in this sexually charged and sometimes sick world. Just my opinion.
BigK
"But the family says that since they are responsible for their children while in the wading pool, their attire should be up to them." Thats not how it works. You're in your home. You're in public and the city has the right to enforce its laws.
Nancy Nunes
As a mother of 3 I don't know why you would encourage your daughters to go topless. I think they will have plenty of years to make those choices as an adult. Personally I can find bathing suits that my daughter wants to keep on while at the pool. Just saying!!!
Melanie Cyr
I do agree with the mother though. If people can't accept the fact that boys and girls have different bodies, then both sexes should have to cover up. Or they could give their heads a shake but I don't see that happening. But, if they want everything to be fair and equal, boys should have to cover up too.
Liz
Women have the right to go topless in Ontario set by the precedent of Gwen Jacob who removed her top cause it was hot in the early 90s.
TGIF
They should have outright refused, request a peace officer to explain to the backward pool attendant that females have the right to be topless in the Province of Ontario, and a municipal bylaw cannot supersede the rights of the provincial citizenry.
Bren Anne
I agree totally Tanya
Swifthawk
I don't know, kind of a tricky situation, but the way I look at it, is she going through puberty? Are her breasts coming in? If not, then I don't see what the problem is, if so, then I guess I can see why she would be told to cover up. That said, I don't agree with it, because the way I see it everybody should be allowed to go topless, man, woman or child.
msauce
Aside from a grown woman deciding to be topless because it's her right, and the very reason that law was argued for, it was not however argued for the toplessness of children a boy or girl. News stories against these kinds of rules is music to the ears of people who would want to use it for evil. If trying to protect kids is old-fashioned then our society has bigger problems.
Art
seriously???? There is a difference between girls and boys and they should learn it right away. As an adult I would be very uncomfortable if I am at a public pool and a woman would go topless I would leave legal or not it is call respect to ALL which these parents don't have
John1970
seriously? an "8 year old topless", does that term even apply? what is she covering up exactly? I've seen some chunky 8 year boys with bigger man-boobs than some 12 year old girls. They dont get told to wear something.
And quite honestly, on some beaches, some men are totally gross - big fat belly and saggy man-boobs drooping down, how is that worse or better than a topless woman?
And quite honestly, on some beaches, some men are totally gross - big fat belly and saggy man-boobs drooping down, how is that worse or better than a topless woman?
jasonb
This is just an intolerant double-standard. Pools may have different dress codes, but they should apply equally to *both* genders. That boys are allowed in topless, and not girls, is crazy. She was indeed sexualized and body shamed. There is no good reason for such a policy.
Larry Sykes
i think it's something with the town bylaws
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