Many club operators struggle with the issue of children in opposite-sex locker rooms. How old is too old? No one wants unsupervised little boys running around the men's locker room, but it may create a privacy issue to let them use the women's locker room with their mothers. The same goes for young girls in the men's locker room.
Here are some suggestions for handing this dilemma:
Establish and enforce a policy. Here is a sample from one IHRSA club: "Children 5 years of age and over are not allowed in the locker rooms of the opposite sex. Children 4 years of age and under may be in the locker room of the opposite sex only when under the direct supervision of a parent or responsible adult - and then only for the minimal time necessary. Under all circumstances, parents must be aware of the need to protect the privacy of others. Please see a Manager On Duty for suggestions on how to ease the transition at this age in a way that is comfortable for both you and your child."
If the club's layout and budget permit, the best solution is a third, "family" locker room. This allows for a policy against opposite-sex children of any age in the two regular locker rooms.
If a family locker room is not an option, install a separate, full bathroom for families or others with special needs. This can also help accommodate the elderly and meet the Americans With Disabilities Act's accessibility standards. (For example, a woman with arthritis may need her husband's help changing her clothes.) If demand for this room is high, hold the key at the front desk so staff can ensure that only those who truly need to use the room have access.
If a third locker room isn't feasible, allow parents to change young children in your child care area. Also, offer free short-term babysitting (e.g. a 20-minute limit) while a child's opposite-sex parent showers and/or changes.
Consult a pediatrician or other physician when deciding on any age cut-off for kids in opposite-sex locker rooms. Basing your policy on recommendations from local experts gives it credibility.
If you don't have any changing options besides the two adult locker rooms and you impose an age limit, a sign should indicate that a member of your staff is available to accompany a child over that age limit into the appropriate locker room upon the parent's request.
If you don't impose an age cut-off, consider creating awareness of this sensitive issue by posting a sign in your locker rooms reading something like, "Parents: Bringing an opposite sex child into this locker room may cause discomfort to other members. Please use discretion."
If you have additional ideas on handling this sensitive topic, please send them to kaw@ihrsa.org.
Many club operators struggle with the issue of children in opposite-sex locker rooms. How old is too old? No one wants unsupervised little boys running around the men's locker room, but it may create a privacy issue to let them use the women's locker room with their mothers. The same goes for young girls in the men's locker room.