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-   -   mixed nudity in East German schools? (http://www.parentingbanter.com/showthread.php?t=715)

Pamela Mills September 27th 03 08:17 AM

mixed nudity in East German schools?
 
I posted this a few days ago in another news group hoping someone there
might be able to add something to the story or tell me that my coworker
has been pulling my leg. I've searched google but didn't really find much
information one way or the other there either.

I have a coworker who moved here over a decade ago from the former East
Germany. I find many of her stories about her homeland quite interesting.
To hear her tell it, life apparently wasn't actually that bad there. The
state took care of all daycare needs including before and after school
right from the time the kids were mere toddlers. School clothing and
supplies were provided and so forth. I can only wish.

The one thing she said that really surprised me though is this: There was
no gender segregation amongst primary school children. They had all of
their classes together, much like happens here. They also had phys-ed
together as well, with a focus on gymnastics and swimming. And,
apparently, all indoor physical education and swimming lessons were done
in the nude. Swimsuits and gym clothes were supplied for kids 11 and
older, but not for the younger kids. Of course, the children shared the
changing room and the showers after swimming, but I guess it really
doesn't matter anymore by that point. She is in her late 40s now and her
kids are in college. She told me this was the way it was for her and for
her kids. She tells me that there was less teasing and other such nonsense
than what she hears about at the schools here. She told me that the
western culture is advanced in some ways and has a long way to go to catch
up in other ways.

On one hand I find it very hard to believe that boys and girls were naked
together on a daily basis doing swimming and gymnastics. I could almost
understand the part about swimming because you're mostly under the water
while swimming anyways so it's not like anyone is going to see that much
of you. Obviously, when entering and exiting the water, of course. But
gymnastics involve a lot of stretching and so forth. There wouldn't likely
be anything left to the imagination of these kid's classmates or their
teachers. And this wasn't just preschoolers here...this was kids
apparently up to age 10 or 11.

Is anyone here from East Germany or know for certain what it was like
there? If so, can you tell me if I've been mislead?

Pam


ColoradoSkiBum September 27th 03 07:10 PM

mixed nudity in East German schools?
 
: apparently, all indoor physical education and swimming lessons were done
: in the nude.

Gymnastics in the nude? Ouch!
--
ColoradoSkiBum

Kereru September 28th 03 04:06 AM

mixed nudity in East German schools?
 

"Pamela Mills" wrote in message
news:pan.2003.09.27.07.17.31.292050@pleasedonotspa mme.com...
I posted this a few days ago in another news group hoping someone there
might be able to add something to the story or tell me that my coworker
has been pulling my leg. I've searched google but didn't really find much
information one way or the other there either.

I have a coworker who moved here over a decade ago from the former East
Germany. I find many of her stories about her homeland quite interesting.
To hear her tell it, life apparently wasn't actually that bad there. The
state took care of all daycare needs including before and after school
right from the time the kids were mere toddlers. School clothing and
supplies were provided and so forth. I can only wish.

The one thing she said that really surprised me though is this: There was
no gender segregation amongst primary school children. They had all of
their classes together, much like happens here. They also had phys-ed
together as well, with a focus on gymnastics and swimming. And,
apparently, all indoor physical education and swimming lessons were done
in the nude. Swimsuits and gym clothes were supplied for kids 11 and
older, but not for the younger kids. Of course, the children shared the
changing room and the showers after swimming, but I guess it really
doesn't matter anymore by that point. She is in her late 40s now and her
kids are in college. She told me this was the way it was for her and for
her kids. She tells me that there was less teasing and other such nonsense
than what she hears about at the schools here. She told me that the
western culture is advanced in some ways and has a long way to go to catch
up in other ways.

On one hand I find it very hard to believe that boys and girls were naked
together on a daily basis doing swimming and gymnastics. I could almost
understand the part about swimming because you're mostly under the water
while swimming anyways so it's not like anyone is going to see that much
of you. Obviously, when entering and exiting the water, of course. But
gymnastics involve a lot of stretching and so forth. There wouldn't likely
be anything left to the imagination of these kid's classmates or their
teachers. And this wasn't just preschoolers here...this was kids
apparently up to age 10 or 11.

Is anyone here from East Germany or know for certain what it was like
there? If so, can you tell me if I've been mislead?

Pam


Sounds a bit chilly to me! Bizarre though it sounds, if it is true I can't
imagine it would do any harm.

Still I am skeptical, just doesn't sound practical.

Judy




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