Going to the Restroom is a Right, Not a Privilege

As a student of the Science Academy of South Texas, I and many other students agree that going to the restroom should be a right and not a privilege. By that I mean, we are human beings and it is our right to perform bodily functions. Being forced to “hold it” is not healthy for our intestines.

A teacher may argue that we should go before class, but the walking to our lockers and getting our books leaves us with very little time, and we then risk being reprimanded for tardiness. Some teachers also do not allow going during our hour and a half long class, but it is unreasonable to believe that we can always hold it for that long. Anyone can need to go in the middle of a class because we drink water or we simply can’t hold it for that amount of time. In a few classes of mine we only have THREE hall passes per semester. THREE! That means, if I need to go to the locker, nurse, restroom, etc. I only have three passes a semester. If we don’t use these passes we can turn them in for extra credit points at the end of the semester; making us choose between extra credit and releasing our uncontrollable body urges-it just seems cruel. As a female there is ‘another reason’ to have to go to the restroom more than average; and this happens once a month, not three times a semester. How would you feel if your child told you they were forced to hold it and afraid to ask?

I acknowledge the fact that some students go to the restroom to waste time or mess around; it is those particular students who should then be given passes. Another suggestion is making a pass to allow them to use the restroom in the nurse’s office and have the nurse sign a note to validate them using the restroom there. I am also aware that I have the right to contact a child protective agency if my right to go to the restroom when needed is continued to be revoked as long as you are under the age of eighteen.

I propose that teachers who have restroom passes should not be allowed to give passes based on a point system or anything of that sort. I am asking that teachers reconsider their way of allowing students go to the restroom, preferably not to be penalized for natural body functions. Those who have signed are in agreement with me, thank you for your consideration in this serious matter.

Sources: http://nospank.net/couture3.htm