Unisex Changing Rooms in Public Restrooms
Fathers traveling alone with their baby or toddler often face an unreasonable problem when they need to change their child's diaper. Changing tables are rarely found in men's restrooms in Switzerland, which forces fathers to use the women's restroom, an act they often shy away from. It's time for unisex changing rooms.
Why Fathers Want a Changing Table
It is uncomfortable for men to enter a women's restroom, and this cannot be entirely avoided when a child needs changing. The lack of changing tables in men's restrooms is a fact many public facility managers are aware of. Changes are currently rare. Yet, it would be desirable for both women and men if each gender could use their respective areas without immediately feeling uncomfortable.
a suitable changing room for fathers is not always available.
Fathers are far from equality. The image that men once helped create still prevails: women look after the children. They alone decide on diapers, diaper rash cream, and wet wipes. An outdated gender role, but fathers must assert their rights just as women must be equally compensated for services and occupy strategic positions if they are qualified.
When it comes to changing a child, it's not about qualification, but about entitlement. That applies to fathers as much as to mothers. For a long time, there has been a demand for a changing table in every men's restroom concerning changing a child in public restrooms. A look at Scandinavia is enough to realize a European idea that immediately solves the problem of missing changing tables in men's restrooms.
Gender-Neutral Restrooms in Public Buildings
Like New York, the Fenno-Scandinavians in Europe have also considered the lack of changing tables in men's restrooms and found interesting solutions that could serve as a model for the Swiss.
While not yet widespread, but still more advanced than in Switzerland, men can enter a restroom without hesitation to change their child on the changing table. The changing tables are located in a neutral room, even with gender-specific toilet separation. Fathers do not have to fear skeptical looks from women using the restroom.
Gender-neutral restrooms are not that new in Fenno-Scandinavia. In these, there are only stalls that protect from the view of others. At least one of these stalls is a changing room where fathers, mothers, and diverse individuals can change their babies and toddlers without shame.
So-called unisex restrooms are already common in England.
Transsexual individuals face the same problem as men born with all masculine characteristics. If a father enters a women's restroom with his child, he should announce himself before entering the room. Whether as a biological or transsexual father makes no difference; external characteristics determine the subsequent reaction of a woman who might just be surprised or briefly startled. If she is verbally prepared, hardly any woman would have anything against it. On the contrary, most women will be helpful if something doesn't work out immediately during changing.
In Switzerland, it is time for a change towards equality for both parents so that fathers can change their children in public restrooms without justification.
Discover our changing tables for every washroom - regardless of the toilet area.
