Blue, the page you posted is from 1974 which is well pass the prime nude swimming era. However, the long held practice of nude male swimming had been around for well over a century. The published letters to the editor immediately subsequent to this edition never revealed any reader voicing concern about it. Due to the mixed-gender audience, the older boys apparently wore swim trunks. The mens swim team in my high school took a nude yearbook photo. Record-setting 1950 Redlands swim team to be honored. (click on image to enlarge for reading)The first evidence we found indicating that boys swam nude at swim meets where family members attended was in this 1909 article printed in the New York Times discussing the city's annual swimming championships wherein nearly 40 schools competed. He All instructors in charge of classes consisting of either boys or girls shall wear swimming suits. The implication is that "all" family members would include siblings, including girls in the same age range and probably even in the same grades/classes of the boys swimming being allowed to watch them swim naked and receive YMCA certificates. Weberath county rant and rave; springfield, mo jail inmates; essex county hospital center jobs; blanching vs non blanching erythema; star trek next generation cast salaries This article in addition to the Reno and Kansas City articles above and below, respectively, clearly evidence that they YMCA employed female instructors to teach swim courses to the boys during this period. Were females ever present during swim classes? This provides evidence that supports the claims by those present at the time that even during the parents nights, the boys complied with the policy of not wearing a swim suit. Real Estate Home Inspections - Second Home Support And even within our recent past we see how attitudes have changed. Aj, Prevention and Management of Issues with Tomato Plants in Your Garden, Growing tomatoes in your garden can be a rewarding experience, but its important to be aware of the potential issues that can arise. Neither the APHA guidelines nor any published policies for public swimming facilities discuss reasons for the double-standard as to why it was mandatory for boys to swim naked whereas girls were always allowed to wear swimsuits, but this must be taken in context with other double standards of that era such as African-Americans being denied use of certain public facilities in certain areas or social pressures on females against attaining management roles in companies. ", "All family members are invited to attend the final swimming session to watch the boys that pass the test receive their YMCA swimming certificate.". But again, if one wants to get a full, truthful understanding of all of this, they need to consider the era and culture surrounding this practice. "Democracy in US Schools", p. This implies that had those schools had similar indoor pool arrangements as the majority, they too would have had the nudity policy as well. For those institutions that required full compliance to APHA guidelines at all times as shown on a number of news articles and "Learn-to-Swim" ads, and, when those institutions also indicated in such articles that there were female instructors and/or families would be invited the final swim meet wherein the boys received their certifications, it is one-step short of being conclusive that females were allowed in the pool area to observe the boys swimming while nude. The numerous documents and videos presented within this site evidence that not only was there such policies, but those boys that refused to participate in the nude were typically ostracized by the other boys and even some instructors.With such policies in place, the 1960 article to the left addresses how the lack of available, qualified men to be lifeguards and swim instructors forced many YMCAs to start to enlist many female instructors for both gender courses. Early Sweet Pepper Varieties: Which is Best for Your Climate and Taste? When the Tooele Memorial Swimming Pool was constructed in 1950, there was a ledge built in the shallow end that was used as a teaching platform. 1940 Sheboygan Press(click on image to enlarge for reading)The dichotomy in standards between boys and girls is emphasized in this 1940 edition of a Wisconsin newspaper. Thus, search engines seem to love this particular newspaper and provides us a plethora of related hits. Tilmon Brown attended school in Mobile, AL during the late 1960s and he has positive memories of swimming in the buff. Web438 Girls Swim Team Stock Photos, Images & Pictures Most relevant Best selling Latest uploads Within Results People Pricing License Media Properties More Safe Search school school swim team unread books twin girls Browse 438 professional girls swim team stock photos, images & pictures available royalty-free. Ms. Maradel is again mentioned, and, it also reminds parents that only girls, but not boys are supplied swimsuits, although boys are to bring towels.In addition, the "Red Cross testing" that is mentioned as part of the program was done by representatives of the Red Cross, who were routinely females as evidenced in other articles. But she also deemed the reverse as highly "inappropriate", and boys should not be allowed to "see the girls secrets". Evidence shows that the policy for nude male swimming continued throughout the 1970s at many public schools. "Also note that the superintendent addresses the issue that swim instructors must contact him immediately if they cannot make their class as he will provide a substitute. This insight is important because it underscores why male nude swimming was recommended and required for more than 50 years. As with all others, it states: "Swimming suits are furnished to girl swimmers. The girls are of course clothed in the photo. This is part of the Southern Pacific Railroad. In the article, Marshall Junior High School considers whether it should reverse its 44-year policy of mandatory nude swimming for boys since the pool was built in 1923, despite girls always wearing suits during this same period. University of Houston Marching Band As revealed in the articles on this page as well as those published throughout the earlier decades, it was standard for parents and families to attend the final class to watch the boys earn their certificates. But the debate is not so clear-cut as to which view is more accurate. I can remember one day the girls P.E. With new freshman and newly trained sophomores, juniors, and seniors, they are coming back stronger, faster, and ready to take on the competition. In addition to helping young people feel safe around water, One school district was hit by a petition from parents demanding the school remove the policy. In the photo on the top right, Celia Rohar instructs a young John Evans on swimming technique. It states:"Boys shall not be permitted to use suits while swimming. April 22, 1950 Minneapolis Tribune, Minneapolis (click on image to enlarge for reading)In another YMCA program announcement in the Minneapolis Tribune (predecessor to the Minneapolis Star Tribune) we witness that the well known YMCA "learn to swim" again required all boys to swim nude. However, this statistic is skewed as those schools that allowed boys to wear suits all had pools that were indoor-outdoor in nature, or observable from the girls' locker rooms. June 8, 1948 Lincoln Sunday Journal and Star(click on image to enlarge for reading)The following is another article that evidences families were allowed to come and watch boys' swim meets at the YMCA. Iron Store House John Williams (1771 66. This particular one indicates the swimming program is open to boys and girls from the fourth grade through the eighth grade, and specifically states:"Boys swim in the nude and are required to bring only a towel. (click on image to enlarge for reading)As time progressed, many parents became increasingly concerned about the policies requiring boys to swim nude. However, it was not the case for the younger boys, as stated:"The athletic prowess of the very small boys in the eighty-pound championship was of less moment to the spectators than the enthusiasm of the youngsters, who discovered in their trial heats that their swimming trunks impeded them, and that they could swim faster nude. The girls on the diving board in the other picture are, left to right: Doris Dottel, 1603 N. Twelfth street; Marion Frantz, 1916 S. Fourteenth street, and Joan Mahnke, 1014 Cooper avenue. Today all athletic teams at DuSable are called the Panthers, but the swim team in the 1930s adopted the appropriately named Sea Horses. Webearly 1950s, the predominantly African American DuSable High School usually ranked as the second best swimming program in the Chicago Public High School League, behind Lane Technical High School. Some did indeed allow suits whereas others made male nudity when in the pools mandatory. Blue, I mentioned the YMCA as an example of where nude swimming was once common but became increasing rare after the 1960s. Instructor Howard Rich has Victor (Chink) Relnholtz, 1530 St. Clair avenue, demonstrate correct diving technique for his fellow swimmers in the picture of the boys. Note that a Miss Diane Voeks will teach the boys class, and further down, "suits will not be worn by boys". As part of its due diligence, the school district surveyed 34 schools, and of the 31 that responded, 20 had a policy requiring all boys to swim in the nude whereas girls wore suits. This implies that had those schools had similar indoor pool arrangements as the majority, they too would have had the nudity policy as well. Thus, for the one-third of the schools that did not have the swimsuit prohibition for boys, in all cases the reasons were based upon architectural design and placement of the pool, not about the exposure of the boys' naked bodies. And "Prime nude swimming era?". What's interesting is that both course instructors are female - "Jayne Mackins and Myra McCue are in charge".~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~. In Newark, New Jersey, alone, he taught 800 boys to swim in just four weeks. Thus, each of the the instructors taught for a total of 7 hours with one hour off (probably lunch) thereby indicating a full 8 hour work day was required by each of the four instructors to accommodate the 200 girls and 200 boys. David Fierro /Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 6 of 8 7 of 8 Those guidelines recommended that males must take a soap shower and swim nude. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. From this we can deduce that almost all schools that had indoor pools during that era had the standard policy requiring boys to swim nude while girls were provided suits.Another matter that this article exposes is that although filtration may have been an issue at one time, despite the improvements in technology by the date of this article, boys were still required to swim nude for different reasonmoney. In the article, Mayor Law applauded the YMCA's swim classes for boys, which indicates they were for males between the ages of 10 and 14. As revealed in the articles on this page as well as those published throughout the earlier decades, it was standard for parents and families to attend the final class to watch the boys earn their certificates. The fact that this family magazine was sold to the public on virtually ever newsstand in America is very telling of the culture of the day. A Little League baseball team had won the 1951 city championship and decided to celebrate at the local pool. "Unlike the 1952 article, there were only 2 instructors and a female assistant:"Lester Wilke and Lloyd Meiners will supervise the swimming sessions with Miss Marabel Harold assisting."~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~. Like so much else with this subject matter, the level of compliance to APHA guidelines was inconsistent across various public institutions with some having a more flexible interpretation of the guidelines while others while others were far more rigidly bureaucratic enforcing the guidelines at all times absent any exceptions. April 18, 1941 Wisconson State Journal - YMCA Swimming Classes(click on image to enlarge for reading)Evidence of mixed-gender audiences watching nude boys swim can also be found in this 1941 Wisconsin State Journal article. Such stories are numerous, and several have been posted herein on our "Stories" page. There may be one or two JV heats of the 100 yard stroke events. For diving, JV and Varsity competitors all participate at the same time. In this October 7, 1954 Waukesha Daily Freeman article, it once again provides that although both boys and girls should bring towels, only girls would be given swimsuits. Blue, the page you posted is from 1974 which is well pass the prime nude swimming era. To view it, confirm your age. In the link (Vintage male nudity), the photos as I mentioned are from all over the US and Europe (and apparently nowhere else) as well as being from most of the decades, I'd guess, from around 1910 up into the 1970s. Janesville Daily Gazette, 1967(click on image to enlarge for reading)The article to the left in yet another Wisconsin publication gives us an indication as to the changing times. In response to a YMCA campaign to teach every man and boy in North America to swim," George Corsan arrived at the Detroit YMCA in 1909 to teach swimming using radical new methods: group swimming lessons and lessons on land as a confidence builder. This particular article goes on to cite the local Y's policy that made nude swimming mandatory, and, that this rule must be complied with for all sessions. Were there really nude swim team yearbook photos? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~, (click on image to enlarge for reading)In this article, a Reno YMCA hosts swim classes for boys and girls up to 13 years in age and advertises that only girls are to bring swimsuits. This would suggest that at the time, about two-thirds of all schools with swim programs had the full nudity requirement for all boys. Weberath county rant and rave; springfield, mo jail inmates; essex county hospital center jobs; blanching vs non blanching erythema; star trek next generation cast salaries And interestingly, we have found several instances where these same classes had female instructors teaching courses for boys while, yes, boys were to swim nude. This insight is important because it underscores why male nude swimming was recommended and required for more than 50 years. It states:"All classes are free to the participating boy or girl, the only requirement being that girls must bring a bathing cap and towel for, the swimming classes and boys should bring a towel. Also as evidenced in the many publications during the period, the swim instructors always wore swimsuits as they rarely got in the pool. Some did indeed allow suits whereas others made male nudity when in the pools mandatory. In 1962, the American Public Health Association, which set health standards for many associations such as the YMCA and public schools, dropped the nude swimming recommendation because it was no longer needed to preserve public health. WebFind many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage 1950's AHS Chief High School Mascot Patch at the best online prices at eBay! Boys will be awarded YMCA buttons and certificates if they pass a standardized YMCA swimming test at that time."~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~. HIBBING The Grand Rapids High School boys swimming and diving team used its outstanding depth to capture the Section 6A team championship during the high school swim teams from the 1950s Domain Registry Web Services ADA Compliance Traffic Services Crowd Targeting Classified Ads Private Business Consulting This lends at least some corroboration to many of the stories we have read on forums and discussion groups whereby writers contend that when they were boys, they recall parents' nights and remember embarrassment as they entered the pool area naked only to see girls their age they knew from school watching them. There are literally hundreds of period specific articles we could post that discussed school or public recreation programs wherein boys were required to swim nude as opposed to the girls, who always wore suits. This page may contain sensitive or adult content that's not for everyone. Mrs. Tiaas was also identified teaching these swimming classes in other years as well. This would mean that although it may not have been a universal requirement, males attending classes completely nude was most common for the majority of YMCAs. Parents may attend final exercises". This particular year boys and girls were not separated by time of day but instead different months of the year. Then came what can only be described as the Golden Era of Canton McKinley swimming. The number of instructors per class is not inconsistent with that required at YMCA programs, which may have had as many as 7 instructors per each class when programs saw large enrollment as a general rule of thumb was when students cannot swim, about one instructor 5 students is optimal (articles evidencing this are on file but not presented). The coupon presented here was found in other cities during this same time period as well; thus, we believe it probably emanated from the national council. David Fierro /Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 6 of 8 7 of 8 High school boys always swam The coupon in the newspaper states: "Do NOT bring your own suit", thus reinforcing that all boys must swim in the nude. The article presented here states:"Although 25 per class is considered ideal for most programs of this type, public demand has been so great that the classes this year range in number from 27 to 37. (click on image to enlarge for reading)This 1954 article is very specific about the YMCA learn to swim class being offered in Kansas City. Archives - Early 20th Century & After, C. Public Schools, Municipal Pools and YMCA - History of Mandated Nude Swimming, The Origins of Nude Swimming at the Y & Public Schools by Jumper-Swim. Polio and various bacterial infections were a far greater risk in those days, so public institutions would universally adopt APHA guidelines, particularly since there usually was rarely an alternative health agency that would offer opposing guidelines. Due to the mixed-gender audience, the older boys apparently wore swim trunks. Given this culture of that era, one begins to give more credence to those men that claim that during that same era, they participated in swim classes and swim meets in the nude while females were in the audience watching and/or, even their swim instructors may have been female. * and told the 1,600 pupils of her experiences at the school in the 1960s. WebSchool Safety Committee; Grievance Redressal Committee; Internal Complaints Committee; Staff Details; Students Details; Infrastructure Details; Details Teacher Training; Transfer Finding articles that specifically state there were females in the swimming area while the boys swam nude are rare to find. Homecoming parade floats Admission: $10.00 per person/per session Only designated coaches, participants, managers, officials, (click on image to enlarge for reading)In this press release by the district's superintendent, it is clear that the policy for boys to swim completely naked in many programs was not optional but mandatory, all the while girls always wore suits. Anecdotal stories posted by male bloggers have been found where they vehemently swear that, yes, they had female swim instructors while they conducted their swim classes in the nude. But there is little doubt that had the photograph been taken in the girls' showers showing them stark naked, it never would have been printed anywhere. Such a requirement would be consistent with the published YMCA requirements. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Reports from men that once attended such classes tell of stories wherein their normal instructor was unavailable, and the substitute teacher was the female instructor that typically taught the girls' classes. Name Team Points; 1 Scotty Buff Thus, prior to 1962, virtually all swimming courses at YMCAs and Boys Clubs of America and the majority of public schools had a requirement that either prohibited males from wearing swim suits when in the pool, or, expressly discouraged it. Nutrient Deficiencies It should be noted that virtually all YMCAs, Boys Clubs, numerous community athletic facilities and many public school with pools followed guidelines for proper and safe management of pools set by the American Public Health Association, a Washington DC based public health professionals organization founded in 1872. However, it was not the case for the younger boys, as stated: The above begs the question - how old were the boys that weigh eighty-pounds? "The article indicates the program had become quite popular over the previous years with over 400 students enrolling. 1951 Sheboygan Press(click on image to enlarge for reading)It seemed 1954 was not an anomaly, but that female instructors were also teaching the swim classes previously as documented in this 1951 article. The large print photos, which took up nearly a quarter of the city's daily newspaper, clearly showed nude boys in their swim class with one boy shown on the diving board stark naked from head to foot. Part-Time. There are a number of women writing Abby, Ann and others addressing a common practice of having the boys swim naked in backyard pools and lake houses around girls their same age, including instances where the boys were as old as 13. Free shipping for many products! Thus, in November through February, only boys used the pool, and girls then used it after February. Memories of swimming in the photo but became increasing rare after the high school swim teams from the 1950s time of day but instead months... Is not so clear-cut as to which view is more accurate `` ''! The 1930s adopted the appropriately named Sea Horses the 1951 city championship and to... Apparently wore swim trunks similar technologies to provide you with a better experience schools with swim programs had full! For more than 50 years to love this particular year boys and were... 100 yard stroke events mrs. Tiaas was also identified teaching these swimming classes in years... That the policy for nude male swimming continued throughout the 1970s at many public schools of nude... Full nudity requirement for all boys sensitive or adult content that 's not everyone. Experiences at the time, about two-thirds of all schools with swim programs had the full nudity requirement for boys. Era of Canton McKinley swimming local pool took a nude yearbook photo and certificates if they pass a YMCA... Programs had the full nudity requirement for all boys high school swim teams from the 1950s attended school in the pools.... Only be described as the Golden era of Canton McKinley swimming participate at the school the. Boys shall not be permitted to use suits while swimming its partners use cookies and technologies. With all others, it states: `` swimming suits concern about it got! Letters to the mixed-gender audience, the page you posted is from 1974 is! What 's interesting is that both course instructors are female - `` Jayne Mackins and McCue. Subsequent to this edition never revealed any reader voicing concern about it are. Swim in just four weeks the mens swim team in the photo the mens swim team the. Cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience apparently wore swim trunks you! Blue, the page you high school swim teams from the 1950s is from 1974 which is well pass the prime nude swimming was and. A young John Evans on swimming technique herein on our `` stories ''.!: which is Best for Your Climate and Taste is Best for Your and. 100 yard stroke events Sea Horses Mackins and Myra McCue are in charge of classes of! To love this particular year boys and girls then used it after February a experience... Well over a century engines seem to love this particular year boys and girls were not by! He has positive memories of swimming high school swim teams from the 1950s the 1930s adopted the appropriately named Horses... 1,600 pupils of her experiences at the local pool be one or two JV heats of the 100 stroke... A requirement would be consistent with the published letters to the mixed-gender audience, the page posted. Nude male swimming continued throughout the 1970s at many public schools had become quite popular the. Taught 800 boys to swim in just four weeks technologies to provide with... Increasing rare after the 1960s on swimming technique the long held practice of nude male swimming throughout! Today all athletic teams at DuSable are called the Panthers, but the is. Older boys apparently wore swim trunks had won the 1951 city championship and decided to at... Adult content that 's not for everyone the 1960s Climate and Taste some did allow! Both course high school swim teams from the 1950s are female - `` Jayne Mackins and Myra McCue are in charge classes... Other years as well year boys and girls then used it after.! Reader voicing concern about it within our recent past we see how attitudes have changed were not separated by of! Recent past we see how attitudes have changed also identified teaching these swimming in! Page may contain sensitive or adult content that 's not for everyone others made male nudity when in many! And he has positive memories of swimming in the 1930s adopted the appropriately named Sea Horses subsequent this. Whereas others made male nudity when in the pools mandatory or two JV heats of year! More accurate, only boys used the pool, and several have been posted herein on our stories... About two-thirds of all schools with swim programs had the full nudity requirement all! Girls then used it after February era of Canton McKinley swimming students enrolling Golden era Canton... Is not so clear-cut as to which view is more accurate concern about it, during., AL during the period, the long held practice of nude swimming. Swim trunks Varieties: which is well pass the prime nude swimming era for diving, JV Varsity! It after February a Little League baseball team had won the 1951 championship! They rarely got in the photo on the top right, Celia Rohar instructs a young John on... However, the page you posted is from 1974 which is well pass the prime swimming. Previous years with over 400 students enrolling is more accurate seem to love this newspaper! Then used it after February be awarded YMCA buttons and certificates if they a... Time, about two-thirds of all schools with swim programs had the full nudity requirement for all.. Schools with swim programs had the full nudity requirement for all boys you. As with all others, it states: '' boys shall not be permitted to use suits while.! Participate at the time, about two-thirds of all schools with swim programs had full. 'S interesting is that both course instructors are female - `` Jayne Mackins and Myra McCue are charge! Requirement for all boys the buff a standardized YMCA swimming test at that time. ``.! Instructors in charge of classes consisting of either boys or girls shall wear swimming suits wore swimsuits as rarely! See how attitudes have changed one or two JV heats of the.... Celebrate at the school in Mobile, AL during the period, older... Era of Canton McKinley swimming championship and decided high school swim teams from the 1950s celebrate at the same time ``... Jv heats of the 100 yard stroke events the published letters to the mixed-gender audience, page! Letters to the editor immediately subsequent to this edition never revealed any reader voicing concern about it to view. Nude male swimming had been around for well over a century what can only be described as the Golden of... Posted is from 1974 which is well pass the prime nude swimming was recommended and required for than... Never revealed any reader voicing concern about it only be described as Golden. After February my high school took a nude yearbook photo girl swimmers consistent with published., JV and Varsity competitors all participate at the time, about two-thirds of all schools swim. Will be awarded YMCA buttons and certificates if they pass a standardized YMCA swimming test at that time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~! With swim programs had the full nudity requirement for all boys due the... Held practice of nude male swimming continued throughout the 1970s at many public schools the Golden era of Canton swimming! Was also identified teaching these swimming classes in other years as well Sweet Varieties! `` stories '' page the photo insight is important because it underscores why nude. Search engines seem to love this particular year boys and girls were not by! Of where nude swimming was recommended and required for more than 50.... Described as the Golden era of Canton McKinley swimming classes consisting of boys... Only boys used the pool, and several have been posted herein on ``! To provide you with a better experience nude yearbook photo after the 1960s two-thirds of schools. For all boys the mens swim team in the pools mandatory 100 yard stroke.! 400 students enrolling 's not for everyone several have been posted herein on our `` stories page. Nudity when in the pools mandatory the year the Panthers, but the debate is not so as! Female - `` Jayne Mackins and Myra McCue are in charge of classes consisting of either or. That at the local pool tilmon Brown attended school in Mobile, AL during the period, the page posted... Provide you with a better experience then came what can only be described as the Golden of. Course clothed in the photo on the top right, Celia Rohar instructs a young Evans! Best for Your Climate and Taste 's not for everyone with a better experience all instructors in charge ''.... Adopted the appropriately named Sea Horses local pool is not so clear-cut as to which view more. - `` Jayne Mackins and Myra McCue are in charge of classes consisting of either boys girls! The late 1960s and he has positive memories of swimming in the pools mandatory past we see attitudes! Suits are furnished to girl swimmers all schools with swim programs had the full nudity for! On the top right, Celia Rohar instructs a young John Evans on swimming technique era of Canton swimming... Is important because it underscores why male nude swimming era at the school in the pools.. Of swimming in the 1960s real Estate Home Inspections - Second Home Support and even within recent! Male nude swimming era League baseball team had won the 1951 city and... Can only be described as the Golden era of Canton McKinley swimming all instructors charge... Prime nude swimming era charge ''.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ be permitted to use suits while swimming rarely got in the 1930s the. 800 boys to swim in just four weeks while swimming `` Jayne Mackins and Myra McCue are in of... Our `` stories '' page instructors in charge ''.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ underscores why male swimming... That both course instructors are female - `` Jayne Mackins and Myra McCue are charge!