Boys in Women's Washrooms

[PQN]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? IL, MI

Is there an age when it becomes illegal for a child to use the opposite sex bathroom? My 10-year old has Autism but is verbal and looks older than he is. He recently developed a fear of men's rooms and will only use a public washroom with me or his sister. Is it legal to take him in with me? He can sometimes 'need' an hour or more in the bathroom -- this is completely unpredictable so it can happen when we are out in public (his therapist also thinks he may use the stall as a break from the noise/lights/crowds of public venues so it is more likely to happen in public).

 

[Proserpina]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? IL, MI

Is there an age when it becomes illegal for a child to use the opposite sex bathroom? My 10-year old has Autism but is verbal and looks older than he is. He recently developed a fear of men's rooms and will only use a public washroom with me or his sister. Is it legal to take him in with me? He can sometimes 'need' an hour or more in the bathroom -- this is completely unpredictable so it can happen when we are out in public (his therapist also thinks he may use the stall as a break from the noise/lights/crowds of public venues so it is more likely to happen in public).

I cannot find any law in either IL or MI preventing you from taking your male child into the female bathrooms with you.

You may want to consider using the disabled bathrooms too, which are very often separate from the male- and female-designated bathrooms.

 

[PQN]

I cannot find any law in either IL or MI preventing you from taking your male child into the female bathrooms with you.

You may want to consider using the disabled bathrooms too, which are very often separate from the male- and female-designated bathrooms.

Thanks - I couldn't find anything either but we took my grandfather out for lunch today for his 90th birthday and he was completely freaked out that I took him into the women's room. He had my grandma call me later and tell me that I could be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and that son could be charged as a sex offender for using the wrong facility. I was pretty sure they were WAY over-reaching but I wanted to check so I could reassure them.

We do use the disabled or family restrooms when they are there but small restaurants and many older buildings don't have them

 

[Artemis_ofthe_Hunt]

Thanks - I couldn't find anything either but we took my grandfather out for lunch today for his 90th birthday and he was completely freaked out that I took him into the women's room. He had my grandma call me later and tell me that I could be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and that son could be charged as a sex offender for using the wrong facility. I was pretty sure they were WAY over-reaching but I wanted to check so I could reassure them.

We do use the disabled or family restrooms when they are there but small restaurants and many older buildings don't have them

Grandparents often have a skewed version of right and wrong for challenged children. Since Autism wasn't recognized in his day, I'd bet that there are times when people of his age deny the existance of such challenges. I haven't searched the laws, but am willing to bet that there may be something on the 'decency' of such usage, but am also willing to bet that if something like this was reported, a simple explanation into the WHY would go a long way to aleviating such worries, KWIM?

 

[mistoffolees]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? IL, MI

Is there an age when it becomes illegal for a child to use the opposite sex bathroom? My 10-year old has Autism but is verbal and looks older than he is. He recently developed a fear of men's rooms and will only use a public washroom with me or his sister. Is it legal to take him in with me? He can sometimes 'need' an hour or more in the bathroom -- this is completely unpredictable so it can happen when we are out in public (his therapist also thinks he may use the stall as a break from the noise/lights/crowds of public venues so it is more likely to happen in public).

I don't know the answer, but you could contact one of the autism advocacy groups or your child's therapist (if they have one) to ask for guidance on the age matter.

At the very least, if someone (grandpa or someone else) gives you a hard time, you could tell them that you're acting on professional advice.

I would also suggest that you ask your local police department if there are any ordinances you need to be aware of. There ARE some areas with laws against using the other sex's bathroom - which is an major problem for the transgender community.

 

[davidmcbeth3]

why, do people speak up to you? And do you explain he needs your help? This should be the end of the conversation ...

 

[nextwife]

Many public places now have "family restrooms" so either gender parent can take their child in privacy. You should really try to seek these out. I've seen them in the Gurnee Mills mall, for example.

 

[tranquility]

Is there an age when it becomes illegal for a child to use the opposite sex bathroom?

No. What "illegal" are you talking about? I mean, specifically. Please give a code reference. Rape? Indecent exposure? What?

 

[PQN]

No. What "illegal" are you talking about? I mean, specifically. Please give a code reference. Rape? Indecent exposure? What?

He just goes directly into a stall, stays in the stall and then exits the bathroom. He doesn't look under the stall walls or make eye contact with anyone or even speak to anyone except to me or his sister to make sure we are still standing there.

This seems to be a concern with alot of his special friends...one boy went through a phase where he would only use port-a-potties when out in public..his mom loved that in December..bbrrr -- and try to find one in Dec!!.

Heck, at least he is finally 100% potty trained (took until he was 9!!).

 

[sometwo]

I took my ten yr old boy into women's restrooms all the time. It was only a little after while after that I would start letting him stand outside depending on the area I was in. I just did not trust letting him go in men's by himself.

Even now at 12 I say to him. "you have two minutes if your not out I'm coming after you"

You just don't know who would be in there.


They do have those family restrooms at walmart and a lot of malls and stuff like that. Those are good also.

 

[stealth2]

Even now at 12 I say to him. "you have two minutes if your not out I'm coming after you"

What if he has to do more than pee?

 

[tranquility]

My point is that there is no age law on when you can go into another sex bathroom. However, there are crimes which can be committed by a person of an age where they can form the intent to do some criminal act.

It is the behavior which could be criminal, not the age.

I understood what what probably happening in your first post. The one in response to me would tend to make me think there is not a crime happening, even if the child were much older. At some age, some person in the bathroom may really get their panties in a bunch and call the police. The police will determine if there was an intent to peep or an intent to expose or some other criminal intent. Most police officers would be quite reasonable with the explanation you've given.

 

[sometwo]

What if he has to do more than pee?

I ask him that question too

We have only had one time where it took a while. I asked another gentleman to check on him for me.

 

[justalayman]

My point is that there is no age law on when you can go into another sex bathroom..

There was a law in at least one state (having trouble finding it) that made it illegal for a person to use the restroom labeled as the opposite gender. It's been a few years since I read about the person being ticketed so the law may have been changed.

I'm still looking. I found this. haven't verified it is still in effect though:
city of Houston ordinances

§ 28-20. Entering restrooms of opposite sex.
It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly and intentionally enter any public restroom designated for the exclusive use of the sex opposite to such person's sex without the permission of the owner, tenant, manager, lessee or other person in charge of the premises, in a manner calculated to cause a disturbance.
(Code 1968, § 28-42.6; Ord. No. 72-904, § 2, 6-2-72)

 

[sometwo]

with all the cross dressing and stuff now can you really tell who's in the right restroom?