Nude swimming in US indoor pools
{{Short description|Nudity in public indoor pools}}
File:Man and woman swim instructors for boys - 1902.jpg
Nude swimming in US indoor pools was common for men and boys from the late 1880s until the mid-1970s, but was rare for women and girls.
Male nude swimming in natural bodies of water was customary in the early years of the United States. In the 19th century, when urbanization made skinny-dipping more visible, indoor pools were built.{{rp|1}} Public indoor pools were more prevalent in Midwest and Northeast states than in other areas of the country. Learn-to-swim programs were conducted in communities across the country to address the problem of drowning. Final sessions were sometimes open houses for families. On such occasions, swimmers might be nude while swimming but wrap themselves in their towels otherwise. In other locations, suits were worn for the final sessions.{{Cite news| pages = 21| title = Boys to Secure Exams, Saturday| work = Evening Independent| location = Massillon, Ohio| date = 1939-03-31}}{{Cite news| pages = 21| title = Parents to See How Their Sons Have Learned to Swim| work = Evening Independent| location = Massillon, Ohio| date = 1939-04-13}}
Nudity was rare in girls' swim classes based upon an assumption of modesty. Prepubescent boys might swim nude in the presence of female staff, family members, or spectators at public competitions. The primary reason given by officials for nude swimming was public health. Another reason was the clogging of pool filters by fibers shed by swimsuits with natural fabrics, including wool. For male swimmers, both issues were easily addressed by forbidding swimsuits, while female swimmers wore cotton suits that could be steam cleaned and shed less fibers. As the 20th century continued, more indoor pools were built by local governments, schools and the YMCA to provide year-round swimming for exercise and sport.
Male nude swimming in the US remained a common practice through the 1950s, but declined in the 1960s due to technological and social changes. In 1972, Title IX was passed; the law required gender equality in physical education. Following the passage of Title IX, most schools found coeducational use of swimming pools to be the easiest means of compliance; coeducational swimming led to the abandonment of nude swimming in school pools.
Origins of swimming pools
File:George Bellows - Forty-two Kids, 1907.jpg (1907) depicting boys swimming from a pier in the East River, New York City]]
The germ theory of disease replaced older theories of infection and illness during the 19th century, not only in public awareness but in medical practice. The connection between cleanliness and health was just being made in public health policy and personal habits.{{Cite thesis| degree=Phd | publisher = City University of New York| last = Adiv| first = Naomi| title = The Amphibious Public: A historical geography of municipal swimming and bathing New York City, 1870 - 2013| year=2013 | location = United States -- New York| access-date = 2024-04-03| url = https://www.proquest.com/docview/1631728007/abstract/5CCA22703AAB41B5PQ/1}}{{rp|48–54}}
"Swimming baths" and pools were built in the late 19th century in poorer neighborhoods of northern industrial cities of the US to exert some control over a public swimming culture that offended Victorian sensibilities by including not only nakedness, but roughhousing and swearing. Such behavior had become an issue in the 18th century, but laws prohibiting public indecency had little effect. Naked swimmers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to New York City, mostly boys and young men, ignored the laws and sometimes flaunted themselves intentionally in view of more upper class passers-by.{{Cite book |last=Wiltse |first=Jeffrey |date=2003 |title=Contested Waters: A History of Swimming Pools in America| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cRQxbEaV0KUC| isbn=978-0-8078-8898-8| publisher=University of North Carolina Press | access-date=November 2, 2022}}{{rp|9–10}}
File:City children-in free bath at the Battery, New York City LCCN92503575.tif, New York City, 1908]]
Beginning in 1870, the first public pools in New York City were outdoor "floating baths" of wood surrounded by docks that allowed river water to flow through them. In addition to health and hygiene, they were intended to prevent drowning in the open river, which was a frequent occurrence. As the quality of urban river water declined, floating baths became a source of infection. Building indoor pools, and the addition of pools to bathhouses, was done to address this problem.{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1017/ssh.2015.64| issn = 0145-5532| volume = 39| issue = 3| pages = 431–452| last = Adiv| first = Naomi| title = Paidia meets Ludus: New York City Municipal Pools and the Infrastructure of Play| journal = Social Science History| access-date = 2020-12-27| date = 2015| s2cid = 145107499| url = https://www.proquest.com/docview/1986368839| id = {{ProQuest|1986368839}}| url-access = subscription}} Since few swimmers in these neighborhoods could afford swimsuits or wanted to wear them, nudity among males was taken for granted.
Historian Jeff Wiltse writes that in cities such as Philadelphia, Boston, and Milwaukee during the Progressive Era (1896–1917), indoor and outdoor municipal pools were segregated by gender and class, but often not race. In working-class neighborhoods, the white residents were mostly recent immigrants. The pools were for health and exercise, and used by male and female swimmers on alternate days. The outdoor pools were surrounded by a high wall to provide privacy. Women and girls wore bathing costumes, men and boys usually went without. The YMCA pools, which charged a fee and excluded women, were used by middle-class swimmers. The upper classes swam at private health clubs, also male only.{{rp|1–7}}
At the beginning of the 20th century, nudity for the wealthiest men in New York City was the norm at the University Club, the Yale Club on Vanderbilt Avenue, the Racquet and Tennis Club and the New York Athletic Club on Central Park South. Nude swimming ended after a law was passed in the 1980s banning discrimination against women at private clubs.{{Cite news| issn = 0362-4331| last = Vachon| first = Dana| title = The Tao of Skinny-Dipping| work = The New York Times| access-date = 2022-09-09| date = 2005-04-28| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/28/fashion/thursdaystyles/the-tao-of-skinnydipping.html}} Nude swimming at the San Francisco Press Club was ended by a court order in 1988.{{Cite journal| issn = 0013094X| volume = 121| issue = 32| pages = 14| last = Stein| first = M. L.| title = S.F. Press Club Rebuffed on Male-Only Nude Swimming| journal = Editor & Publisher| access-date = 2024-04-20| date = 1988-08-06| url = https://www.proquest.com/docview/194269099/abstract/D0E5BF0EEC294AD6PQ/1}} In 1991, when there were only two women in the US Senate, they avoided the gym and the swimming pool where some of the male members continued to swim nude.{{Cite news| pages = 1–| title = Senate Is `a Club of Powerful Older Men'| edition=City | work = St. Petersburg Times| location = St. Petersburg, Fla., United States| access-date = 2025-02-14| date = 1991-10-10| url = https://www.proquest.com/docview/262850830/abstract/22D46EDC1934D18PQ/64}}
Mining companies provided housing for workers and their families, which at the turn of the 20th century did not have their own bathrooms, but a shared bathhouse for all employees, with a section for men and another for women and children. The bathhouse built by the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company in Michigan that opened in 1910 included a swimming pool, as suggested by Progressive reformist literature. Men and boys swam without suits. Women and girls were allocated only 10 hours per week to use the pool, compared to 47 for men and 13 hours for boys. Children were defined as girls under 12 and boys under 10, who had to be accompanied by an adult female.{{Cite journal| issn = 1934-6832| volume = 18| issue = 2| pages = 15–42| last = Hoagland| first = Alison K.| title = Introducing the Bathroom: Space and Change in Working-Class Houses| journal = Buildings & Landscapes: Journal of the Vernacular Architecture Forum| access-date = 2024-05-19| date = 2011| url = https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/23/article/462714}}
Indoor pools were most common in the Northeast and Midwest. In southern and western states, learn-to-swim programs popular in the 1940s were conducted in outdoor pools where all swimmers brought their own suits: Phoenix, Arizona (1940{{Cite news| page = 6| title = Record Classes Attend Opening Day of Free Swim Campaign| newspaper = Arizona Republic| location = Phoenix, Arizona| access-date = 2024-02-03| date = 1940-06-04| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/8347483/| via=Newspapers.com | url-access=subscription}} and 1947{{Cite news| page = 6| title = Youngsters Get Instruction| newspaper = Arizona Republic| location = Phoenix, Arizona| access-date = 2024-02-03| date = 1947-06-05| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/117365237/| via=Newspapers.com | url-access=subscription}}); Miami, Florida (1947{{Cite news| page = 62| title = Learn to Swim| newspaper = The Miami Herald| location = Miami, Florida| access-date = 2024-02-03| date = 1947-06-08| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/617407379/| via=Newspapers.com | url-access=subscription}}); Owensboro, Kentucky (1949{{Cite news| page = 8| title = Learn-to-Swim Campaign Is to Be Held Week of June 27| newspaper = Messenger-Inquirer| location = Owensboro, Kentucky| access-date = 2024-02-03| date = 1949-06-19| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/376115728/ | via=Newspapers.com | url-access=subscription}}); St. Louis, Missouri (1941{{Cite news| page = 16| title = First Section Registration Coupon Star-Times Learn-to-Swim Campaign| newspaper = The St. Louis Star and Times| location = St. Louis, Missouri| access-date = 2024-02-03| date = 1941-05-28| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/204554185/| via=Newspapers.com | url-access=subscription}} and 1949{{Cite news| page = 6| title = Star-Times holds Learn-to-swim campaign in participating pools.| newspaper = The St. Louis Star and Times| location = St. Louis, Missouri| access-date = 2024-02-03| date = 1949-06-21| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-st-louis-star-and-times-star-times/86778878/| via=Newspapers.com | url-access=subscription}}); Raleigh, North Carolina (1946{{Cite news| page = 2| title = Red Cross Plans Swimming Drive | newspaper = The News and Observer| location = Raleigh, North Carolina| access-date = 2024-02-03| date = 1946-07-09| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-red-cross-learn-to/51882677/| via=Newspapers.com | url-access=subscription}}) and Nashville, Tennessee (1941{{Cite news| page = 8| title = Learn-to-Swim Program Started Dispite Showers| newspaper = Nashville Banner| location = Nashville, Tennessee| access-date = 2024-02-03| date = 1941-07-14| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/602995653/| via=Newspapers.com | url-access=subscription}}).
= Public health recommendations =
File:City children - bathing for free at the Battery, New York City LCCN92503573.jpg
As early as 1914, professionals addressed the problem of maintaining the quality of pool water due to the prevalence of waterborne diseases, including typhoid, dysentery and pneumonia, as well as infections of the eye and ear. Initially civil engineers recommended nudity in indoor pools for all swimmers, male and female, where such rules could be enforced. While this was generally accepted for men, it was true for only some pools when used by women. Fibers from suits clogging pool filters were also given as a reason for nudity.{{Cite journal| issn = 0022-1899| volume = 15| issue = 1| pages = 159–186| last = Manheimer| first = Wallace A.| title = Studies on the Sanitation of Swimming Pools| journal = The Journal of Infectious Diseases| access-date = 2023-07-07| date = 1914| doi = 10.1093/infdis/15.1.159| url = https://www.jstor.org/stable/30073404| jstor = 30073404| hdl = 2027/nnc2.ark:/13960/t3xs6gg9m| hdl-access = free}}{{Cite journal| volume = V| issue = 6| pages = 229–306| last = Gage| first = Stephen DeM.| title = The Sanitary Control of Swimming Pools| journal = Journal of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers| date = 1918| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lpkSAAAAYAAJ}} Fibers from wool suits were a greater problem, which was remedied by supplying cotton suits for use by female swimmers.{{rp|77}}{{Cite news| page = 7| title = Cotton Bathing Suits Ordered: To Replace Woolen Ones at E. Rutherford Pool| work = The Record| location = Hackensack, New Jersey| date = 1936-07-29| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/489615444/| url-access=subscription}}
In the 1920s, close monitoring of swimmers in public pools was based upon their being from the working class, having generally poor hygiene and often living in tenements with no bath facilities. Officially, municipal pools were built in working-class neighborhoods to provide such facilities, while YMCAs charged an entry or membership fee that excluded the lower classes, black and white. In 1926, the American Public Health Association (APHA) standards handbook recommended that indoor swimming pools used by men adopt nude bathing policies and that indoor swimming pools used by women require swimsuits "of the simplest type".{{cite journal| journal= American Journal of Public Health| volume=16| issue=12| pages = 1186–1201| last = Gage| first = Stephen| title = Swimming Pools and Other Public Bathing Places| date = 1926|doi = 10.2105/AJPH.16.12.1186|pmid = 18012021|pmc = 1321491}}
In 1939, swimming coach and college athletics administrator Fred Luehring surveyed the issues and made similar recommendations, advising that men and boys should continue to swim nude, tests of water quality showing the advantage over pools were suits are allowed.{{Cite book| publisher = A. S. Barnes and Company| last = Luehring| first = Frederick William| title = Swimming Pool Standards| location = New York| access-date = 2024-04-15| date = 1939| url = https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/001613449}}{{rp|77}} He noted the problem of water quality following pool use by female swimmers, not only due to suits being worn but their avoidance of taking a nude shower before entering the pool by showering in their suits.{{rp|223-224}} In 1940, V. T. Trusler advised that women swimmers be required to hang their suits over the door of shower stalls to prevent showering in them, and inspected to prevent wearing undergarments with bathing suits. Suits for male swimmers were simply called unnecessary.{{Cite book| publisher = Burgess Pub. Co.| last = Trusler| first = Victor Thomas| title = Fundamentals of Physical Education| pages=56–57 | location = Minneapolis, Minn.| access-date = 2024-09-06| date = 1940| url = https://hdl.handle.net/2027/wu.89090039793?urlappend=%3Bseq=74}}
In 1940, the wool suits worn by male swimmers continued to be recognized as a source of water contamination. Cotton suits supplied by facilities for female swimmers were a lesser problem, because they could be boiled to decontaminate them. Wool suits cannot be boiled or heated above 105 degrees F. without shrinkage. Wool suits used in salt water cannot be washed effectively, because soap does not lather due to salt residue.{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1080/23267240.1940.10623710| volume = 11| issue = 1| pages = 25–63| last = Manheimer| first = Wallace A.| title = Reducing Health Hazards in the Swimming Pool| journal = The Journal of Health and Physical Education| access-date = 2023-07-07| date = 1940-01-01| url = https://doi.org/10.1080/23267240.1940.10623710| url-access = subscription}} In 1941, reviewing the steps taken to maintain good hygiene in pools, H. W. Craig, supervisor of swimming at the University of Illinois, favored the continued conduct of physical education swimming programs for men not wearing suits, and for women using cotton suits supplied by the schools that could be steam cleaned. Problems arose when recreational swimmers used their own suits and avoided showering before entering the pool, which had become more frequent with the movement toward "corecreational" swimming.{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1080/23267240.1941.10620207| issn = 2326-7240| volume = 12| issue = 4| pages = 242–279| last = Craig| first = H. W.| title = Safety and Hygiene in the School Swimming Pool| journal = The Journal of Health and Physical Education| access-date = 2023-07-23| date = 1941| url = https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23267240.1941.10620207| url-access = subscription}}
From 1926 until 1962, every edition of the APHA guidelines recommended nude swimming for males.{{Cite web|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/local/columnists/andreatta/2017/09/22/andreatta-when-boys-swam-nude-gym-class/694542001/|title=Andreatta: When boys swam nude in gym class|first=David|last=Andreatta|website=Rochester Democrat and Chronicle|date=September 22, 2017|access-date=March 22, 2020}}{{ref|b|b}} Given the limits of chlorination and filtration at that time, behavioral measures were also used to maintain water quality. In addition to recommending nudity, all bathers were required to empty their bladder and shower nude before entering the pool. Those suffering from skin or respiratory disease were prohibited from using the pool.{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1002/j.1551-8833.1933.tb18220.x| issn = 0003-150X| volume = 25| issue = 1| pages = 124–135| last1 = Horwood| first1 = M. P.| last2 = Gould| first2 = B. S.| last3 = Shwachman| first3 = H.| title = Indices of the Sanitary Quality of Swimming Pool Waters| journal = Journal - American Water Works Association| access-date = 2022-09-13| year = 1933| bibcode = 1933JAWWA..25a.124H| url = https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/j.1551-8833.1933.tb18220.x| url-access = subscription}}
While finding the same public health issues, the National Environmental Health Association recommendations in 1956 included swimmers taking nude showers and wearing only suits laundered and sterilized by the facility, but not mandatory nude swimming.{{Cite journal| issn = 0096-560X| volume = 18| issue = 5| pages = 219–226| last1 = Campbell| first1 = George W.| last2 = Litsky| first2 = Warren| title = Swimming Pools: A Problem In Disinfection| journal = The Sanitarian| access-date = 2023-07-07| date = 1956| url = https://www.jstor.org/stable/26326488| jstor = 26326488}}
Outside the United States during the same time period, the issues of hygiene were recognized, but close supervision of swimmers and control of bathing suits could be an alternative to nudity. In Canada, public health recommendations allowed for suits, but nudity was recommended in pools used exclusively by men.{{Cite journal| issn = 0008-4263| volume = 48| issue = 6| pages = 244–248| last = Cross| first = Alex| title = The Supervision of Swimming Pools| journal = Canadian Journal of Public Health | access-date = 2023-07-07| date = 1957| url = https://www.jstor.org/stable/41981084| jstor = 41981084| pmid = 13437239}} A brochure sent to parents of children in the Toronto, Ontario school system in 1963 stated that boys participating in the summer education program could swim in bathing trunks or nude.{{Cite thesis| publisher = University of Nebraska| last = Dichsen| first = Donald V| title = Swimming Education in Douglas County| location = Omaha, Nebraska| date = 1964-02-01}} At YMCA pools in Ontario, nudity predominated from the 1960s to as late as the 1990s in some locations. A factor in the change was the hiring of women lifeguards for male classes.{{Cite thesis| publisher = St. Stephen's College| degree=Master of Theological Studies| last = Koch| first = Dorothy Beryl Jackson| title = The Canadian YMCA (1966–1996): A movement towards inclusion| location = Alberta, Canada| access-date = 2024-10-04| url = https://www.proquest.com/docview/304572762/abstract?parentSessionId=nYhFwHPZeR3leJ0sCAxupxF0Rw3IILwrsyGUzM1S%2FKQ%3D&sourcetype=Dissertations%20&%20Theses}} In England, it was recommended that suits for both men and women be inspected and stored by the facility.{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1017/S0022172400010299| issn = 0022-1724| volume = 30| issue = 1| pages = 66–78| last = Grierson| first = A. M. M.| title = Observations on the Hygienic Condition of Public Swimming Baths| journal = Epidemiology & Infection| year = 1930| pmid = 20475054| pmc = 2170546}}
Racial segregation
During the interwar period, 1918–1939, when many more pools were constructed, public schools and recreation facilities were segregated in the United States, de jure until the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or de facto due to residential patterns. In some cities segregation was maintained by violence against black swimmers who attempted to enter pools.{{Cite news| title = Racial History of American Swimming Pools| work = NPR| access-date = 2023-11-09| date = 2008-05-06| url = https://www.npr.org/2008/05/06/90213675/racial-history-of-american-swimming-pools}}
Prior to the 1960s, the YMCA built separate facilities in black and white neighborhoods.{{Cite journal| doi = 10.2307/2292606| issn = 0022-2984| volume = 9| issue = 3| pages = 354–362| last = Johnson| first = Campbell C.| title = Negro Youth and the Educational Program of the Y.M.C.A.| journal = The Journal of Negro Education| access-date = 2023-03-18| date = 1940| url = https://www.jstor.org/stable/2292606| jstor = 2292606| url-access = subscription}}{{rp|580}} The first black YMCA with a pool was the Twelfth Street YMCA in Washington, DC which was completed in 1912.{{Cite web |date=October 3, 1983 |title=NPGallery Digital Asset Management System |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/83003523}} Swimming nude was required, but did not appeal to all.{{Cite book| publisher = Dorrance Publishing| isbn = 978-0-8059-7881-0| last = Mack| first = James Leonard| title = My Life, My Country, My World| date = 2008| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wAbgYQqjF0oC&q=11&pg=PA11| quote=The YMCA was a good place to improve my swimming, but I never cottoned to the idea of swimming naked. - poet James Leonard Mack}}{{rp|11}} In the 1940s, a Washington Evening Star article emphasized knowing how to swim being a defense asset as well as a safety measure, while also noting that "colored" boys could register at the 12th Street Y for their lessons rather than at the 1732 G Street YMCA, a block from the White House.{{Cite news| pages = 35| title = Swimming Ability Called Defense Asset And Safety Measure| work = Washington Evening Star| location = Washington, DC| access-date = 2024-11-21| date = 1941-04-08| url = https://access.newspaperarchive.com/washington-dc-washington-evening-star/1941-04-08/page-35/}}
In Dayton, Ohio, 1940 all boys and girls age 11 to 14 who could not swim were eligible to take free lessons at the YMCA, YWCA, or Roosvelt High School; "Negro" children were assigned to classes at the Linden Community Center.{{Cite news| page = 7| title = Learn-to-Swim Campaign To Get Started May 6th| work = The Dayton Herald| location = Dayton, Ohio| access-date = 2024-02-03| date = 1940-04-22| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/391595704/}}{{Cite news| pages = 4| title = Learn-to-Swim Drive to Get Under Way in Dayton on May 6| work = The Journal Herald| location = Dayton, Ohio| access-date = 2024-02-03| date = 1940-04-21| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/392001282/}} In 1942 six agencies in Plainfield, New Jersey offered free swimming lessons at black and white branches of the YMCA and YWCA; the Jewish Community Center, and Watchung Lake. Suits were not required for men and boys at either YMCA.{{Cite news| page = 11| title = Six Agencies Offer Free Swim Lessons| newspaper = The Courier-News| location=Plainfield, New Jersey | access-date = 2024-02-03| date = 1942-06-13| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/218956726/| via=Newspapers.com}} In a 1944 article citing the history and benefits of the YMCA programs for all, photographs showed the separate swimming classes for black and white boys, without suits.{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1080/23267240.1944.10623229| volume = 15| issue = 4| pages = 185–236| last = Friermood| first = Harold T.| title = Wartime Physical Education in the Y. M. C. A.| journal = The Journal of Health and Physical Education| access-date = 2024-09-27| date = 1944-04-01| url = https://doi.org/10.1080/23267240.1944.10623229| url-access = subscription}}
In spite of the Civil Rights Act, a summer camp in Montgomery, Alabama hosted by the YMCA refused entry to two black children in 1969, resulting in a landmark desegregation decision which included the YMCA as a public accommodation.{{Cite web| title = Landmark YMCA Desegregation Ruling Turns 40| website = Southern Poverty Law Center| access-date = 2023-03-20| url = https://www.splcenter.org/news/2010/07/20/landmark-ymca-desegregation-ruling-turns-40}} Across the south, municipalities closed recreational facilities rather than integrate them.{{Cite web| title = Smith v. Young Men's Christian Association| website = Southern Poverty Law Center| access-date = 2023-03-20| url = https://www.splcenter.org/seeking-justice/case-docket/smith-v-young-mens-christian-association}}{{Cite book| publisher = One World| isbn = 978-0-525-50956-1| pages = 17–40| last = McGhee| first = Heather| title = The Sum of Us| chapter = Racism Drained the Pool| date = 2021}}{{Cite web| last = Gershon| first = Livia| title = When Cities Closed Pools to Avoid Integration| work = JSTOR Daily| access-date = 2024-02-05| date = 2019-06-21| url = https://daily.jstor.org/when-cities-closed-pools-to-avoid-integration/}} Some public pools were transferred to private ownership, and re-opened as segregated facilities.{{Cite journal| volume = 32| issue = 3| pages = 462–471| last = Adams| first = W Michael| title = Constitutional Law - Equal Protection and the Closing of Public Facilities| journal = Louisiana Law Review| date = 1972}}
YMCA/YWCA
File:YMCA swim lessons - 1915.png
The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) and Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) were founded in London, England in 1844 and 1855, respectively. Although not formally connected, in the 20th century they had similar missions, so sometimes acted cooperatively. There were also differences, in particular the YWCA's greater recognition of sexual and racial equality.{{Cite journal| doi = 10.2307/2079345| issn = 0021-8723| volume = 78| issue = 4| pages = 1324–1346| last = Vandenberg-Daves| first = Jodi| title = The Manly Pursuit of a Partnership between the Sexes: The Debate over YMCA Programs for Women and Girls, 1914–1933| journal = The Journal of American history (Bloomington, Ind.)| date = 1992}}
The first YMCA indoor pool in the United States was built in 1885, in Brooklyn, New York.{{Cite book| publisher = Association Press| last = Hopkins| first = Charles Howard| title = History of the Y.M.C.A. in North America| date = 1951| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=da4cAAAAMAAJ| access-date=November 3, 2022}}{{rp|154}} Male nudity was required at YMCA pools in both the US and Canada until they became mixed-gender in the 1970s.{{Cite news| page = 24| title = Canada men swimming nude at the YMCA until women joined| newspaper = The Leader-Post| location = Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada| access-date = 2022-09-17| date = 1977-09-29| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26814144/canada-men-swimming-nude-at-the-ymca/ | via=Newspapers.com}} The downtown Miami YMCA, built in 1918 and demolished in 1978, featured what was considered a modern swimming pool at the time. While noting the filtration system made the pool water clean enough to drink, nudity is shown in a promotional photograph from the 1930s.{{Cite web| last = Piket| first = Casey| title = YMCA in Downtown Miami (1918 – 1978)| work = Miami History Blog| access-date = 2024-01-22| date = 2022-03-27| url = https://miami-history.com/ymca-in-downtown-miami-1918-1978/|url-access=subscription}}
In 1955 a graduate student in education at Boston University conducted a survey of 100 boys age 11 to 13 who had dropped their YMCA membership. Statistics had shown that this age group had the highest dropout rate, and the research was to discover why. Given their age, responses to a questionnaire were collected in an interview. Since swimming was the reason most often stated for joining the YMCA, except for having friends that were also members, significance was assumed regarding questions about swimming, in particular doing so without suits. Of the 100, 35 said they would prefer to swim in suits, but 65 said they would not prefer suits. Sanitation, the simplicity of needing to bring only a towel for swim class, and less problem with lint and dirt were given as reasons to swim nude, but also the psychological value of boys seeing they are physically normal. Many reasons were given for not continuing their YMCA membership, but issues regarding swimming were not high.{{Cite thesis| publisher = Boston University School of Education| last = Barrett| first = Walter E. Jr.| title = A study of 100 twelve year old boys who dropped out of membership at the Cambridge, Massachusetts, Y.M.C.A.| location = Cambridge, MA, US| date = 1955}}
The first YWCA in the US, built in 1877, included gymnastics among its programs, which was criticized by outside educators, who favored only formal education for women. The first swimming pools in YWCAs were built in 1905 in Buffalo, New York and Montgomery, Alabama. A pool soon became standard in city YWCA buildings.{{Cite thesis| last = Walker| first = Mary Elizabeth| title = A Survey of the Physical Education Program and Activities of 42 Eastern Ywca's (not Including "Y" Camps)(1947 Statistics)| institution=Lowell Teachers College| location=Boston, MA| year=1948| degree=Masters of Education}} The suits used by women at the YWCA pools until 1930 were not the undyed cotton recommended by public health officials, but the same black wool bathing costumes worn by women at beaches.{{Cite journal| issn = 1923-6409| pages = 10–35| last = Pedersen| first = Diana| title = The Photographic Records of the Canadian YWCA, 1890–1930: A Visual Source for Women's History| journal = Archivaria| access-date = 2024-11-29| date = 1987-01-01| url = https://archivaria.ca/index.php/archivaria/article/view/11412}}
= 1930s =
In 1930, the Tribune newspaper in Pocatello, Idaho sponsored 'learn to swim' classes at the YMCA, announcing that girls must bring towels and suits, boys only towels.{{Cite news| page = 19| title = Tribune's Free Swimming Lessons Open Monday in YMCA Pool| newspaper = The Pocatello Tribune| location = Pocatello, Idaho| access-date = 2024-02-02| date = 1930-06-01| url = https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/idaho/pocatello/the-pocatello-tribune/1930/06-01/page-19/| via=NewspaperArchive.com}} A Madison, Wisconsin swim meet held at the 'Y' in 1931 did not allow suits or spectators.{{Cite news| page = 6| title = Swim Meet to Be Held at "Y" Friday May 1| work = Wisconsin State Journal| location = Madison, Wisconsin| date = 1931-04-12}} In May 1936 the Charleston, West Virginia YMCA announced its tenth annual "Learn to Swim" program for boys age 8 to 15 not able to swim, noting bathing suits not being required.{{Cite news| pages = 7| title = Y.M.C.A. Drive to Teach Boys How to Swim to Open Monday| work = Charleston Daily Mail| location = Charleston, West Virginia| access-date = 2024-09-05| date = 1936-05-24| url = https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/west-virginia/charleston/charleston-daily-mail/1936/05-24/page-7}} The YMCA in Wichita, Kansas was used in 1937 for a 'learn to swim' campaign.{{Cite news| pages = 9| title = Swimming Lessons at "Y" This Week| work = Wichita Eagle| location = Wichita, Kansas| date = 1937-06-27| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/718401823/| via=Newspapers.com}} In a 1937 national survey of intermediate swimming programs in YMCAs, it was noted that among the health control methods, the management of suits was given a low priority due to the number of classes that swim without suits.{{Cite thesis| institution = Springfield College| degree=MS| last = Morris| first = Hubert George| title = National survey of intermediate swimming in the Y.M.C.A| location = Springfield, MA| access-date = 2024-02-07| date = 1937| url = https://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16122coll1/id/290957/rec/16| page=22}} The YMCA in Emporia, Kansas was used for a 1939 children's 'learn to swim' campaign.{{Cite news| title = Learn-to-Swim Campaign at "Y" Is Free to All| newspaper = Emporia Gazette|page=3| access-date = 2022-10-13| date = 1939-05-24| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/emporia-gazette-may-24-1939-p-3/|url-access=subscription| location=Emporia, Kansas | via=Newspaperarchive.com}}
= 1940s =
In Benton Harbor, Michigan local newspapers in June 1941 sponsored a course at the "Y" for men over 18 that could not swim, noting in the announcement that no suits were required.{{Cite news| page = 7| title = 'Learn to Swim' Campaign Will Start Monday| work = The Herald-Palladium| access-date = 2024-01-31| date = 1941-06-10| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/364727448/ | via=Newspapers.com}} Also in Benton Harbor, programs for children in 1943 and 1945 announced that girls should bring a suit and towel, boys only a towel.{{Cite news| title = Swim Classes Will Begin at "Y" Monday| work = The Herald-Palladium| location = Benton Harbor, Michigan| access-date = 2024-01-31| date = 1943-06-19| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/365246698/| via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news| page = 5| title = YMCA 'Learn To Swim Class To Be 'Double Header' Here| newspaper = The Herald-Palladium| location = Benton Harbor, Michigan| access-date = 2024-01-30| date = 1945-05-15| url = https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/michigan/benton-harbor/benton-harbor-news-palladium/1945/05-15/page-5/}} In 1949 classes had become mixed-gender, so suits were worn.{{Cite news| page = 12| title = Learn to Swim| newspaper = The Herald-Palladium| access-date = 2024-01-31| date = 1949-06-10| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/365679130/| via= Newspapers.com }} In 1941 the "Y" swim classes in Madison, Wisconsin were co-sponsored by the Wisconsin State Journal and praised by mayor James R. Law Jr.{{Cite news| title = Law Praises Journal YMCA Swim Classes| work = Wisconsin State Journal| location = Madison, Wisconsin| date = 1941-04-18}} The learn-to-swim classes at the YMCA in Marion, Ohio in 1942 was also announce with the message that girls should bring a suit and towel, boys only a towel.{{cite news| newspaper=The Marion Star | location=Marion, Ohio | date=May 27, 1942 | page=13 | title="Learn To Swim" Campaign Arranged by Y. M.C.A. for Marion Boys and Girls}}
Unlike other states, the swimming programs in 1940 and 1941 operated by the Red Cross using YWCA pools in Salt Lake City, Utah specified that both boys and girls should bring their own suits.{{Cite news| pages = 13| title = Learn to Swim: Telegram Red Cross Classes Await Young Entrants| work = Salt Lake City Telegram| location = Salt Lake City, Utah| access-date = 2024-11-21| date = 1940-06-26| url = https://access.newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-city-telegram/1940-06-26/page-1/| via=NewspaperArchive.com | url-access=subscription}}{{Cite news| pages = 15| last = Waugh| first = Betty| title = Boys, Girls Sign for Swim Class| work = Salt Lake City Telegram| location = Salt Lake City, Utah| access-date = 2024-11-21| date = 1940-07-02| url = https://access.newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-city-telegram/1940-07-02/page-15/| via=NewspaperArchive.com | url-access=subscription}}{{Cite news| pages = 9| title = Telegram Swimming Lessons Registration Opens Monday| work = Salt Lake City Telegram| location = Salt Lake City, Utah| access-date = 2024-11-21| date = 1941-06-26| url = https://access.newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-city-telegram/1941-06-26/page-9/| via=NewspaperArchive.com | url-access=subscription}} However when the Red Cross offered a "Swim for Health Week" for both men and women at a YMCA pool in Berkeley, California in 1943, women were asked to bring a towel and suit, men only a towel.{{Cite news| pages = 10| title = Gazette, 'Y' Sponsors Learn to Swim Plan| work = Berkeley Daily Gazette| location = Berkeley, California| date = 1943-06-15}}
At the YMCA in the South End of Chicago in 1944, a summer program for boys and girls had classes for 500 students in half-hour sessions separated by sex and age. Fridays were family night for adults to see the student's accomplishments.{{cite news| title=Swim Campaign in Full Swing at 111th St. "Y"| work=Chicago South End Reporter| date=June 28, 1944| url=https://newspaperarchive.com/chicago-south-end-reporter-jun-28-1944-p-6/| url-access=subscription| access-date=July 10, 2023| via=NewspaperArchive.com}}{{rp|6}} In Tucson, Arizona the YMCA pool was used in 1945 to teach any boy unable to swim,{{Cite news| pages = 5| title = Learn-to-Swim Campaign to Be Held at YM| work = Tucson Daily Citizen| location = Tucson, Arizona | access-date = 2024-02-03| date = 1945-05-05| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/10562608/}} and in 1946 boys age 9 through junior high; suits were not worn.{{cite news| work=Tucson Daily-Citizen| title='Y' Swim Class to Open May 27|date=May 15, 1946| url=https://newspaperarchive.com/tucson-daily-citizen-may-15-1946-p-25/| url-access=subscription| access-date=July 10, 2023| via=NewspaperArchive.com}}{{rp|25}} Free YMCA classes in Franklin, Pennsylvania were for both boys and girls in 1945, only the girls being asked to bring suits.{{Cite news| pages = 12| title = Free YMCA classes| work = News-Herald| location = Franklin, Pennsylvania| date = 1945-05-29}} The enrollment for boys 7 to 14 for a swim class at the Cedar Rapids, Iowa "Y" after summer 1947 bible school sessions were explicit that "No suit required".{{Cite news| pages = 36| title = Swim School Sef For Boys 7 to 14| work = Cedar Rapids Gazette| location = Cedar Rapids, Iowa| access-date = 2024-11-21| date = 1947-06-05| url = https://access.newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-gazette/1947-06-05/page-36/| via=NewspaperArchive.com | url-access=subscription}} The instructions for the YMCA swim school in Davenport, Iowa in 1949 was that each boy bring a towel, but "suits are not necessary".{{Cite news | pages = 10| title = YMCA Learn-to-Swim School to Be Held June 13-25 in 'Y' Pool| work = Davenport Democrat And Leader| location = Davenport, Iowa | access-date = 2024-11-21 | date = 1949-06-01 | url = https://access.newspaperarchive.com/davenport-democrat-and-leader/1949-06-01/page-10/ | via=NewspaperArchive.com | url-access=subscription}}
Swimming classes for women and girls (in swimsuits) were held at YWCAs, sometimes in coordination with YMCA classes in the same locality.{{Cite news| pages = 3| title = YWCA Learn to Swim Campaign to Open Monday| work = Alabama Journal| location = Montgomery, Alabama| access-date = 2024-02-03| date = 1949-05-18| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/415469066/| via=Newspapers.com}} The 1948 registration blank for the annual swim program for non-swimmers in Lincoln, Nebraska emphasized that girls should bring a towel but not their own suits, but rent suits at the YWCA. Boys should bring a towel but no suit for their YMCA classes.{{Cite news| page = 18| title = YMCA-YWCA Annual Learn to Swim Week| work = Lincoln Star| location = Lincoln, Nebraska| date = 1948-06-08| url = https://www.newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-star/1948-06-08/page-15/}} The learn-to-swim program continued in Lincoln for a decade.{{Cite news| pages = 14| title = Tenth Learn-to-Swim Registration Monday| work = Lincoln Sunday Journal And Star| location = Lincoln, Nebraska| access-date = 2024-11-19| date = 1957-05-26| url = https://access.newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-sunday-journal-and-star/1957-05-26/page-14/| via=NewspaperArchive.com | url-access=subscription}}{{Cite news| pages = 14| title = Program Set Up to Teach Boys to Swim| work = Lincoln Journal Star| location = Lincoln, Nebraska| date = 1958-06-01}} Coordinated YMCA/YWCA classes were also held in Washington, Iowa in 1948, again all were asked to bring towels, only girls to bring suits.{{Cite news| pages = 5| title = Receive Entries For Swim Class| work = Washington Evening Journal| location = Washington, Iowa| access-date = 2024-11-20| date = 1948-05-15| url = https://access.newspaperarchive.com/washington-evening-journal/1948-05-15/page-5/| via=NewspaperArchive.com | url-access=subscription}}
= 1950s =
Swim classes at the YMCA for boys continued into the 1950s, as in Steubenville, Ohio.{{Cite news| pages = 9| title = YMCA's 'Learn to Swim' Campaign June 11 to 25| newspaper = Steubenville Herald Star| location = Steubenville, Ohio| date = 1953-06-02}} A photograph publicizing the learn-to-swim program in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 1950 was captioned "In order to have thorough sanitation, swim suits are not used by swimmers in the YMCA pool. This accounts for the drapery of towels when the picture was taken."{{Cite news| edition = Evening News| pages = 3| title = Youngsters Enrolled in Learn-to-Swim Program| work = Wilkes-Barre Times Leader| location = Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania| access-date = 2024-08-30| date = 1950-06-29| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/403803494/}} In 1955 the creation of a league of four teams for 8 to 10-year-old boys in York, Pennsylvania was announced. The swim meet spectators were limited to male only.{{Cite news| pages = 28| title = Brand New Swimming Loop for Kids Begins Season| work = York Dispatch| location = York, Pennsylvania| date = 1955-11-09| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/614503781/| via=Newspapers.com}} In 1956, the Tucson Arizona YMCA held its 36th annual Learn to Swim campaign.{{Cite news| pages = 20| title = 36th Annual Free YMCA Learn-to-Swim Campaign| location = Tucson, Arizona| date = 1956-05-29}}
= 1960s =
In 1960, some of the swimming events for boys at the Y in Waterloo, Iowa swim suits were optional.{{Cite news| pages = 10| title = Free Swims Set For Hi-Y Members| work = The Courier| location = Waterloo, Iowa| date = 1960-10-03}} During the transition to sex equality, attempts were made to retain male nudity at YMCAs by limiting access to the pool by women to certain hours, but since they had full membership, such plans was deemed discriminatory.{{Cite news| issn = 03624331| page = 30| title = Women Challenging a Y.M.C.A.'s Policy of Nude Male Swims| newspaper = New York Times| location = New York, N.Y., United States| access-date = 2025-02-14| date = 1978-07-30| url = https://www.proquest.com/docview/123614618/abstract/22D46EDC1934D18PQ/5}}{{Cite web | title = YMCA of Greater Seattle - Part 3: Readjustment, 1930-1980 | first= Cassandra | last=Tate | website=History Link: The Free Encyclopedia of Washington State History| date = 14 March 2001| access-date = October 17, 2022| url = http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=3100}}
Boys' clubs
A 1940 article in LIFE magazine describes the pool in the Olneyville Boys' Club as providing an alternative to juvenile delinquency in a declining mill neighborhood. Photos show the naked boys crowded into the "dingy little 60 ft. swimming pool" as they had for fifteen years.{{Cite magazine| pages = 71–73| title = Kids Swarm to Olneyville Boys Club Pool| magazine = LIFE| date = 1940-04-15| publisher=Time, Inc.}} In 1941, the Olneyville Club won two of the five final events at a national Boys Club of America swimming championship.{{Cite news| pages = 128| title = Providence Boys Excel| newspaper = The New York Times| access-date = 2023-03-18| date = 1941-04-20| url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1941/04/20/85306520.html| url-access=subscription}} Following a 1954 cattle judging contest in Wichita Falls, Texas, boys participating were invited to the Wichita Falls Boys Club for a free swim party, no swim suits being needed.{{Cite news| page = 50| title = Judging Contest Set for Wednesday| newspaper = Wichita Falls Times| location = Wichita Falls, Texas| date = 1954-02-14| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/774437743/| via=newspapers.com}}
Public schools
File:Bath House 3 east close jeh.jpg built 1909 in Yonkers, New York]]
The 1909 elementary school swimming championship for New York City included nearly forty schools in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn; and was held at what was then called the Interior Public Bath{{ref|a|a}}, the first municipal indoor swimming pool built in New York City.{{blockquote| text=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. Thereafter the rule about trunks went into the discard, and very small boys in a state of nature swam like tadpoles through the many heats necessary for a decision.| source=New York Times{{cite news | title = Young Swimmers in Championships | newspaper = New York Times | page = 30 | date = 18 April 1909 | access-date = 2015-11-17 | url = https://newspaperarchive.com/us/new-york/new-york/new-york-times/1909/04-18/page-30?tag=elementary+schools+swimming+competition+80+division&rtserp=tags/elementary-schools-swimming-competition-80-division?pc=20293&psi=67&pci=7&pt=468&ndt=bd&pd=1&pm=1&py=1909&pe=31&pem=12&pey=1909 | via = Newspaper Archive | url-access = subscription}}}} In the 1920s, schools began building indoor swimming pools for purposes of physical fitness and swimming instruction. In 1900, there were only 67 public pools in the United States; by 1929 there were more than 5,000. Due to hot weather, the Englewood High pool in New Jersey was open to the public one day per week in July 1926. The announcement emphasized the observance of public health recommendations, all swimmers required to take a soap shower before entering the pool. No mixed bathing was permitted, suits were not allowed for men and boys, while women and girls wore the standard Y.W.C.A. suit.{{Cite news| page = 6| title = Rules for Use of High School Pool| work = The Record| location = Hackensack, New Jersey| access-date = 2024-04-15| date = 1926-07-09| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/489678529/}} A 1926 announcement of the school swimming schedule in Ironwood, Michigan was explicit that boys would not be permitted to wear suits, and would be supervised to insure a shower was taken and that there was no sign of disease.{{Cite news| edition = Evening| title = Rules Are Announced for Swimming Pool Use| work = Ironwood Daily Globe| location = Ironwood, Michigan| date = 1926-09-24| page=2}} In 1934 a survey of schools in California, some allowed boys to swim nude or with athletic supporters, others supplied suits to boys as they did for all girls.{{Cite thesis| publisher = University of Southern California| last = Johnson| first = Russell S.| title = An inquiry into the status of swimming pools in the high schools of California| location = United States -- California| access-date = 2024-04-03| date = 1934| url = https://www.proquest.com/docview/1625428916| id = {{ProQuest|1625428916}}}}
In 1935 the school superintendent in Pontiac, Michigan approved nude swim classes for boys in high school, saying it recalled "the days of the old swimming hole".{{Cite news| pages = 2| title = Male nude swim at school approved 1935| newspaper = The Tennessean| location = Nashville, Tennessee| access-date = 2022-09-17| date = 1935-09-15| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9680678/male-nude-swim-at-school-approved-1935/}} A thesis on high school swimming in Indiana in 1939 found only 16 pools in 848 schools, in which all of the boys swam without suits.{{Cite thesis| institution = Indiana State Teachers College| degree=Master of Science in Education| last = Zemlock| first = Don| title = Swimming in the Public Schools of Indiana| date = 1939-07-12| url = https://scholars.indstate.edu/bitstream/handle/10484/7823/isua-thesis-1939-zemlock.pdf?sequence=2}} In 1940 a New York City school official continued to favor boys wearing bathing suits only in pools visible to both sexes. Girls were issued cotton suits that could be boiled to disinfect them between uses; the wool suits used by boys could not because they would shrink and lose their shape. In addition, fibers from wool swimsuits could clog pool filters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wbez.org/shows/curious-city/baring-it-all-why-boys-swam-naked-in-chicago-high-schools/c9a3a9e2-6ae3-404b-80e5-0c4bf4d5a0be|title=Baring It All: Why Boys Swam Naked In Chicago Schools|first=Monica|last=Eng|website=WBEZ.com|date=September 10, 2017|access-date=March 22, 2020}} Swim classes were advocated not only for exercise, but as a recreational activity that, once learned, could become a lifelong pursuit. The swim classes were also looked upon as an opportunity to teach children proper hygiene.
Although some advantages in coeducational swim classes were recognized as early as 1934,{{Cite book| publisher = Association Press| volume = I| last = Cureton| first = Thomas Kirk| title = How to Teach Swimming and Diving| location = New York| access-date = 2024-02-06| date = 1934| hdl = 2027/mdp.39015049748836?urlappend=%3Bseq=7| url = https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015049748836?urlappend=%3Bseq=7}}{{rp|23–24}} the need to maintain pool water quality by insuring cleanliness of both swimmers and swimsuits dictated separate boys and girls classes and the banning of wool suits.{{rp|56,77}} Few pools had been constructed for coeducation, having a single shower room. In a survey of Indiana high schools in 1939, all boys swim classes were nude, while girls wore suits, 87% being cotton suits issued by the school.{{Cite thesis| institution = Indiana State Teachers College| last = Zemlock| first = Don| title = Swimming in the Public Schools of Indiana| year = 1939| url=https://scholars.indstate.edu/handle/10484/7823| access-date=October 24, 2022}} Students bringing their own suits was discouraged, the institutions not having control of decontamination.{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1080/23267240.1941.10620207| issn = 2326-7240| volume = 12| issue = 4| pages = 242–279| last = Craig| first = H. W.| title = Safety and Hygiene in the School Swimming Pool| journal = The Journal of Health and Physical Education| access-date = 2022-10-29| date = 1941| url = https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23267240.1941.10620207| url-access = subscription}} A 1947 survey of schools in northern Utah found more local variation. Only three of the six schools had pools. One allowed swimmers to wear their own suits, one supplied cotton suits. At the one that required nudity, the athletic director cited the problem of lint from suits clogging the pool filter.{{Cite thesis| publisher = Utah State University| last = Taylor| first = Wayne G| title = A Survey of the Requirements in Physical Education for Boys in Region One of the Utah State Athletic Association| date = 1947}}{{rp|28–29}} The October 16, 1950 Life magazine published a photograph of boys swimming together in the indoor pool of New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois; the caption did not mention they were naked.{{cite magazine | title=A Good High School | magazine=LIFE | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CEwEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA106|date=16 October 1950|publisher=Time Inc|pages=101–106|issn=0024-3019}} A southern city with indoor pools in the junior and senior high schools is Houston, Texas, which required nudity until the mid-1960s. While some former students in 2008 remembered the experience as negative, mainly due to bullying, older men who had attended 30 years earlier had no problem, citing different attitudes regarding privacy before WWII.{{Cite news| last = Kaplan| first = David| title = This HISD skinny-dip was no fun| newspaper = Houston Chronicle| location = Houston, Texas| access-date = 2023-07-26| date = 2008-06-22| url = https://www.chron.com/life/article/David-Kaplan-This-HISD-skinny-dip-was-no-fun-1566999.php}}
In 1960 school officials and parents began questioning nude swimming in North Tonawanda, New York, where it had been the practice at the high school for 30 years. Rather than a ban on nudity, suits were made optional by a 4–1 vote of the school board.{{Cite news| page = 12| title = Pool Controversy Ends at Low Tide| work = The Buffalo News| location = North Tonawanda, New York| access-date = 2024-01-27| date = 1960-12-15| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/868664566/| via=newspapers.com}} In 1963, as it had for 33 years, the city of Troy, New York continued its mandatory citywide program of swim classes for all students in grades 4-8 and 9–12; boys swimming nude. A letter to parents emphasized the importance of learning at least the basics of swimming for survival in an emergency.{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1080/00221473.1963.10621677| issn = 0022-1473| volume = 34| issue = 5| pages = 35–36| last = Mann| first = Channing| title = Swimming Classes in Elementary Schools on a City-Wide Basis| journal = Journal of Health, Physical Education, RPecreation| access-date = 2022-10-29| year = 1963| url = https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00221473.1963.10621677| url-access = subscription}}
= Girls' classes =
In 1939 one book on public health did agree that nudity would be the most sanitary option for girls as well as boys, and that this was practiced at some schools, but never widespread as with boys.{{cite book|last1=Williams | first1=Jesse Feiring| last2=Brownell | first2=Clifford Lee | year=1939| title=The Administration of Health and Physical education|edition=2|publisher=W.B. Saunders Company.}} In 1947 the 150 girls age 9 to 13 at the Liberty School in Highland Park, Michigan were directed to wear swimsuits by the Superintendent of Schools in response to a group of mothers protesting to the board of education. Nude swimming for girls had been optional for six weeks prior to the order. Nude swim classes continued for the 200 elementary school girls from two other schools. Boys in the schools had not worn suits in their separate classes for years, and girls requested to do the same in order to give them more time in the pool rather than changing. While following the wishes of parents who believed girls should behave modestly, all the board members disagreed, stating that there was "no moral issue involved".{{Cite news| title = Rules Girls Must Wear Swim Suits: School Board at Detroit Acts After Mothers Protest| newspaper= Iowa City Press Citizen | date= January 15, 1947| page=1| location = Highland Park, Michigan| access-date = 2022-04-29| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/iowa-city-press-citizen-jan-15-1947-p-1/}}
Other programs for young people
The Iowa State College pool in Ames, Iowa was used for children's swim classes in the summer of 1939, noting that boys do not wear suits for their morning classes. At men's general swimming sessions in the evenings for students and faculty, suit were not worn.{{Cite news| title = Swimming Classes - Iowa State College Pool| newspaper = Ames Daily Tribune| page=3| access-date = 2022-10-13| date = 1939-06-13| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/ames-daily-tribune-jun-13-1939-p-3/|url-access=subscription| location=Ames, Iowa | via=Newspaperarchive.com}}
In the summers of 1944 and 1945, the Chicago Parks offered a summer swimming program for children, boys on Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday, girls on Thursday and Friday. In two high schools' indoor pools, girls were required to bring a suit, but boys swam without.{{cite news| title=South End Swim Natatoriums Open Here to Help Beat Summer Heat| newspaper=Chicago South End Reporter| date=June 28, 1944| url=https://newspaperarchive.com/chicago-south-end-reporter-jun-28-1944-p-6/| page=6 | url-access=subscription| access-date=July 10, 2023| location=Chicago, Illinois | via=Newspaperarchive.com}}{{Cite news| title = Pools Open| newspaper = Chicago Garfieldian| page=12| access-date = 2022-10-12| date = 1945-06-28| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/chicago-garfieldian-jun-28-1945-p-12/|url-access=subscription | location=Chicago, Illinois | via=Newspaperarchive.com}}
The Tamalpais High School pool in Mill Valley, California was open to the public three days per week in the summer of 1944. During the days when boys swam in the morning, girls and women in the afternoon, the boys did not wear suits. Boys under 7 were allowed to come to the afternoon sessions with their mothers, but had to bring suits.{{Cite news| title = Tamalpais Pool Available for Children, Adults| work = Sausalito News| location = Sausalito, California| access-date = 2024-02-19| date = 1944-07-27| url = https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SN19440727.2.43&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------}} The University of Oklahoma pool in Norman, Oklahoma was used for summer swim programs, with separate classes for cub scouts and boy scouts. In 1951 the new pool in Marysville High School was opened to grade school students on Saturday. Boys were allowed to wear a swimsuit if they wanted, but wool suits were not allowed.{{Cite news| page = 10| title = Swim Classes Open Saturday for Grade Pupils in Marysville| newspaper = The Times Herald| location = Port Huron, Michigan| access-date = 2024-05-19| date = 1951-01-05| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/209834663/| via=Newspapers.com}} In 1958 the announcement included only the need to bring a towel.{{Cite news| page = 4| title = Scout Swim Program Begins in Norman| newspaper = Moore Monitor| location = Norman, Oklahoma| access-date = 2024-02-19| date = 1958-04-17| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/591959659/| via=Newspapers.com}} In 1961, listed among the attendees for the cub scout sessions were two den mothers.{{Cite news| page = 3| title = Cub Scouts Have Swim Program| newspaper = The Purcell Register| location = Norman, Oklahoma| access-date = 2024-02-19| date = 1961-05-18| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/602945617/| via=Newspapers.com}}
The Sheboygan, Wisconsin Department of Public Recreation held "Learn to Swim" classes for middle school children at the Central High School pool. The classes were held on Saturday morning during the school year, Monday through Friday mornings in summer. Among the earliest newspaper announcements of the classes, in 1926 the article ended by saying "there will be no restrictions on swimming suits."{{Cite news| pages = 3| title = Swimming Pool to be Open to Public on Monday| newspaper = Sheboygan Press| date=July 8, 1926| access-date = 2023-07-11| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/sheboygan-press-jul-8-1926-p-3/|url-access=subscription| location=Sheboygan, Wisconsin | via=Newspaperarchive.com}} In 1930, the announcement more clearly states that girls would be issued suits and towels, boys only towels.{{Cite news| pages = 17| title = Plan Swimming Classes at the High School| newspaper = Sheboygan Press| date=October 8, 1930| access-date = 2023-07-11| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/sheboygan-press-oct-8-1930-p-17/|url-access=subscription| location=Sheboygan, Wisconsin | via=Newspaperarchive.com}} The news article in 1940 includes two photographs, one of a girl's class posing in their suits, the other of the boy's class, all nude, watching one student demonstrating a dive.{{Cite news| page = 12| title = Swimmers and Non-Swimmers Learn How to Handle Selves in Water at Classes Held Here| newspaper = Sheboygan Press| location = Sheboygan, Wisconsin.| access-date = 2023-07-11| date = 1940-10-31| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/sheboygan-press-oct-31-1940-p-12/| via=Newspaperarchive.com}}
Through the 1950s until 1960, the Sheboygan Press published the schedules of the separate classes for boys and girls, noting that girls would be issued suits, but boys would be nude.{{Cite news| title = Recreation Department Has Graded Program| newspaper = Sheboygan Press| page=14| access-date = 2022-10-11| date = 1952-11-11| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/sheboygan-press-nov-11-1952-p-14/|url-access=subscription| location=Sheboygan, Wisconsin | via=Newspaperarchive.com}}{{Cite news| title = Inside Recreation Calendar Is Announced by Department| newspaper = Sheboygan Press| page=6| access-date = 2022-10-11| date = 1953-11-11| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/sheboygan-press-nov-11-1953-p-6/|url-access=subscription| location=Sheboygan, Wisconsin | via=Newspaperarchive.com}}{{Cite news| title = Swimming Pool to Be Available This Summer| newspaper = Sheboygan Press| page=3| access-date = 2022-10-11| date = 1957-06-19| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/sheboygan-press-jun-19-1957-p-3/|url-access=subscription| location=Sheboygan, Wisconsin | via=Newspaperarchive.com}}{{Cite news| pages = 10| title = Boys and Girls Recreation Club Saturday Activities| work = Sheboygan Press| location = Sheboygan, Wisconsin| date = 1958-11-29}}{{Cite news| title = Recreation Centers Are Open to School Children| newspaper = Sheboygan Press| page=26| access-date = 2022-10-11| date = 1960-01-21| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/sheboygan-press-jan-21-1960-p-26/|url-access=subscription| location=Sheboygan, Wisconsin | via=Newspaperarchive.com}} A longer article in 1954 included details on the conduct of classes. There were an equal number of boys and girls, 404 in total, age 10 to 14 and divided into 14 half-hour classes each day. There were four teachers, three men and one woman, plus two female locker room attendants. "Boys swim unhampered by suits and bring only a towel as their contribution each afternoon. Girls bring their own bathing caps and are supplied with suits, for the morning workout". All swimmers were required to take a soap shower nude before entering the pool. The final class was designated visitor's day, with no mention of boys not being nude with families present.{{cite news| title=Know Your Schools: Recreation Department Conducts Eleven-Day Swimming Instruction Course At Central H. S. Pool| last = Jarvis| first = Mrs. Richard J.| date=June 22, 1954| page=10| newspaper=The Sheboygan Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sheboygan-press-jun-22-1954-p-10/|url-access=subscription| location=Sheboygan, Wisconsin | via=Newspaperarchive.com}} A similar article in 1957 by the same author noted the capacity crowd of mothers and fathers in the pool balcony as indicating support for the program. {{Cite news| pages = 14| last = Jarvis| first = Mrs. Richard J.| title = Know Your Schools: Learn-To-Swim Sessions Attract Record Number To Central Pool — Recreational Swimming Begins| work = Sheboygan Press| location = Sheboygan, Wisconsin| access-date = 2024-10-28| date = 1957-07-16| url = https://access.newspaperarchive.com/sheboygan-press/1957-07-16/page-1| via=Newspaperarchive.com}} In 1959, suits for boys was optional.{{Cite news| page = 15| title = Learn-To-Swim Starts June 8| work = Sheboygan Press| location = Sheboygan, Wisconsin| date = 1959-05-23}} After 1960, all students in the summer program were required to bring their own suits because mixed-sex recreational sessions had been added to the schedule.{{Cite news| title = Swim Schdule Set by Recreation Department| newspaper = Sheboygan Press| page=2| access-date = 2022-10-12| date = 1961-06-09| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/sheboygan-press-jun-09-1961-p-2/|url-access=subscription| location=Sheboygan, Wisconsin | via=Newspaperarchive.com}}{{Cite news| title = 'Rec" Department Accepting Learn-to-Swim Applications| newspaper = Sheboygan Press| page=11| access-date = 2022-10-12| date = 1965-05-03| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/sheboygan-press-may-03-1965-p-11/|url-access=subscription| location=Sheboygan, Wisconsin | via=Newspaperarchive.com}} However, boys continued to swim without suits at the Recreation Department swimming program during the school year.{{Cite news| page = 26| title = Recreation Centers Are Open To School Children| work = Sheboygan Press| location = Sheboygan, Wisconsin| date = 1960-01-21| url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sheboygan-press-jan-21-1960-p-26/| via=Newspaperarchive.com}} Waukesha, Wisconsin also conducted classes for children, with boys nude and girls provided suits. The courses included Red Cross certification.{{Cite news| pages = 3| title = Students Crowd Swimming Class| work = Waukesha Daily Freeman| location = Waukesha, Wisconsin| date = 1948-10-12}}{{Cite news| title = Pool Swimming Lesson Set| newspaper = Waukesha Daily Freeman| access-date = 2023-05-18| date = 1954-10-07| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/waukesha-daily-freeman-oct-07-1954-p-2 | url-access=subscription| location=Waukesha, Wisconsin | via=Newspaperarchive.com}}
Colleges and universities
In 1920, a review of swimming pools found similar concerns for hygiene at the collegiate level. "In men's pools, where bathing suits are not ordinarily worn," inspection of swimmers was done by attendants to see that a thorough preliminary shower was taken.{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1080/23267224.1920.10651559| issn = 2326-7224| volume = 25| issue = 9| pages = 383–399| last = Hinman| first = Jack J.| title = The Swimming Pool| journal = American Physical Education Review| access-date = 2023-03-18| date = December 1920| url = https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23267224.1920.10651559| url-access = subscription}} A thesis done in 1955 included a survey of colleges and universities in the United States that found a nearly even split between institutions where men in swim classes wore suits versus those where swimmers were nude. However, there were regional differences, 68.5% of schools in the Midwest and 70% in the East being nude, while suits were worn more often in the South (63.2%), Southwest (60%) and West (62.5%).{{Cite thesis| last = Stewart| first = James| title = The Administration of Swimming Pools in Colleges and Universities of the United States| date = 1955-06-01| institution=University of North Dakota| type=Masters of Education | url=https://commons.und.edu/theses/649}}
Colleges for men, such as those operated by the Jesuits, ended nude swimming when they admitted women in the late 1960s and early 1970s.{{Cite news| last = Ross| first = Susan A.| title = It's been 50 years since most Jesuit colleges went co-ed. But have they truly embraced their female students?| work = America Magazine| access-date = 2024-01-02| date = 2021-09-20| url = https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2021/09/20/jesuit-coeducation-college-university-ross-241373}} Public universities, such as the University of Wisconsin–Madison,{{Cite news| pages = 13| last = Allen| first = John| title = The Red Gym's Pool| work = On Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin-Madison Alumni Magazine| access-date = 2024-01-17| date = 2015| url = https://onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/the-red-gyms-pool/}} Iowa State University{{Cite web| last = Pounds| first = Diana| title = No swimsuits required| work = Inside Iowa State| access-date = 2024-01-17| date = 2008-02-01| url = https://archive.inside.iastate.edu/2008/0201/swim.shtml}} and the University of Maryland{{Cite news| issn = 0190-8286| last = Kelly| first = John| title = Perspective {{!}} Did the University of Maryland once make men swim nude in swim class?| newspaper = Washington Post| access-date = 2024-01-28| date = 2023-06-02| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/06/03/naked-swim-instruction/}} required nudity for male swimmers until the 1970s.
Questioning and decline of nudity
By the 1950s, new developments in pool chlorination, filtration, and nylon swimsuits led to the gradual elimination of nudity from recommendations for pool sanitation. Swimsuits for boys were sometimes optional.{{Cite news| pages = 11| title = Free 'Learn to Swim' Classes Available to Boys Next Week| work = Argus-Leader| location = Sioux Falls, South Dakota| date = 1942-06-04}}{{Cite news| pages = 2| title = Many Enter Learn To Swim Campaign| work = The News-Herald| location = Franklin, Pennsylvania| date = 1950-06-02}} The APHA abandoned its recommendation of nude swimming for males in 1962. However, the custom did not immediately cease, the rationale switching from hygiene to the cost savings and maintaining a tradition of male behavior.
In 1961, some parents in Menasha, Wisconsin asked the school board to give boys permission to wear swim trunks, asserting psychological issues for the youngest boys.{{Cite news| page = 12| title = Swimming in Nude Called Undesirable| work = Oshkosh Daily Northwestern| location = Oshkosh, Wisconsin| access-date = 2024-04-02| date = 1961-10-26| url = https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/oshkosh/oshkosh-daily-northwestern/1961/10-26/page-12}} The board voted down a petition signed by 371 parents on the grounds that buying swim trunks would be expensive and that nude swimming built men's character; one board member asserted that "this experience is a good one for later life, for example the armed services, where the disregard for privacy is real and serious". Another board member noted that swimmers had no privacy in the gang showers required for the classes. A letter from the Department of Public Education stated that nudity for boys was practiced throughout the state to promote sanitation and to save time. A survey of other schools found suits were worn only at schools where the pool was not completely separate from other areas.{{Cite news| edition = 82| title = Boys Will Continue to Swim Nude at Menasha High Pool| newspaper = Appleton Post Crescent| page=13| location = Menasha, Wisconsin| access-date = 2022-10-17| date = 1961-11-14| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/appleton-post-crescent-nov-14-1961-p-13/| url-access=subscription}}{{Cite news| page = 10| title = Take No Action on Swim Policy Protest| work = Oshkosh Daily Northwestern| location = Oshkosh, Wisconsin| access-date = 2024-04-02| date = 1961-11-14| url = https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/oshkosh/oshkosh-daily-northwestern/1961/11-14/page-10}}
In Janesville, Wisconsin nude swimming became an issue at Marshall Junior High in 1967 in part because boys at nearby Franklin Junior High wore suits, their pool having outside windows. The boys at Franklin were issued nylon suits, as were the girls at both schools. One coach noted that boys being from different backgrounds and being at different stages of maturity, some found nudity embarrassing, while others took it for granted. Parents, physicians, and clergy voiced various positions pro and con. The deciding factor was again the cost of purchasing suits for all boys.{{Cite news| last = Burkhard| first = Patricia| title = Nudity "a Tradition' at Marshall Pool| newspaper = Janesville Daily Gazette| location = Janesville, Wisconsin| access-date = 2022-10-11| date = 1967-02-02| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/janesville-daily-gazette-feb-02-1967-p-23/}} By 1976, suits had become optional, but most students chose to do without at Marshall and Craig High School, the only schools without open observation areas.{{Cite news| pages = 3| title = Nude Swimming Remains in Vogue for Boy at Marshall Junior High| work = Janesville Gazette| location = Janesville, Wisconsin| access-date = 2024-04-02| date = 1976-01-15| url = https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/janesville/janesville-gazette/1976/01-15/page-3}}
In 1966 and 1967, the Manitowoc, Wisconsin Recreation Department held evening recreational swimming utilizing school pools, families on Tuesdays, women on Wednesdays. On Thursdays, part of the session was for fathers and sons, while the final hour was for men only. Women were supplied suits if they did not bring their own; for men and boys, suits were "permitted...those wishing to wear trunks must bring their own". Children's classes were on Saturday mornings, with separate sessions by age and sex. Only girls were required to bring a suit.{{cite news| work=Manitowoc Herald-Times| title=Indoor Swim Program Set for All Ages| date=September 30, 1966| url=https://newspaperarchive.com/manitowoc-herald-times-sep-30-1966-p-12/| page=12 | url-access=subscription| access-date=July 10, 2023| location=Manitowoc, Wisconsin | via=Newspaperarchive.com}}{{cite news| work=Manitowoc Herald-Times| title=Indoor Swim Program Set at Manitowoc| date=October 12, 1967| url=https://newspaperarchive.com/manitowoc-herald-times-oct-12-1967-p-29/| page=29 | url-access=subscription| access-date=July 10, 2023| location=Manitowoc, Wisconsin | via=Newspaperarchive.com}}
In a 1973 Duluth, Minnesota school board meeting, a discussion of "skinny-dipping" in the boys junior high school swim classes following complaints from parents who cited modesty according to the supervisor of physical education. A school board member called this false modesty in a gym class where students must shower nude. For the board, the issue was the $12,000 needed to buy suits for 2500 students in the district.{{cite news| title=Nude swimming causes concern| date=November 27, 1973| publisher=Associated Press| newspaper=Greeley Tribune| page=16}}{{cite news| title='Skinny-Dipping' in School's Swimming Pool Stirs a Fuss| date=November 27, 1973| publisher=Associated Press| newspaper=Ogden Standard-Examiner| page=6}}{{Cite news| pages = 18| title = Duluth School Board opposes skinny dipping| work = Winona Daily News| location = Winona, Minnesota| access-date = 2024-04-02| date = 1973-11-28| url = https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/minnesota/winona/winona-daily-news/1973/11-28/page-18}}
During the 1970s, the adoption of mixed-gender swimming led to the gradual abandonment of nude male swimming in schools. Federal Title IX rules mandating gender equality in physical education led most schools to switch to co-educational classes, ending nude swimming in public schools by the 1980s. In the 21st century, the practice has been forgotten, denied having existed, or viewed as an example of questionable behaviors in the past that are no longer acceptable.{{Citation |ref={{sfnref|NPR|2006}}| publisher = National Public Radio | date = Aug 1, 2006 | url = https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5597441 | access-date = 2007-11-27| title=Naked in High School: Bad Dreams Do Come True}} However, Jungian psychoanalyst Barry Miller views the sexualization of nudity in male only situations such as locker rooms and swimming pools as a loss.{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1080/00332925.2016.1134213| issn = 0033-2925| volume = 59| issue = 1| pages = 93–108| last = Miller| first = Barry| title = On the Loss of Nudity in the Men's Locker Room| journal = Psychological Perspectives| accessdate = 2022-10-20| date = 2016-01-02| s2cid = 147364697| url = https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00332925.2016.1134213| url-access = subscription}}
Notes
:a.{{note|a}}Located at 232 West 60th Street, Manhattan, Interior Public Bath had been built in 1906.{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1525/jsah.2008.67.4.504| issn = 0037-9808| volume = 67| issue = 4| pages = 504–531| last = Renner| first = Andrea| title = A Nation That Bathes Together: New York City's Progressive Era Public Baths| journal = Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians| accessdate = 2022-09-13| date = 2008-12-01| url = https://online.ucpress.edu/jsah/article/67/4/504/59984/A-Nation-That-Bathes-Together-New-York-City-s| url-access = subscription}} In 2013 the West 60th Street bath building reopened after extensive renovations as the Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center.
:b.{{note|b}}Alternatives to nudity might be an athletic supporter or gym shorts.{{Cite thesis| publisher = Springfield College| degree=Master of Science | last = Rawstrom| first = Harry W.| title = Instructional Manual for Swimming, Diving, Water Stunts, and Life Saving for Male Physical Education Majors at the University of Delaware| location = Delaware| date = 1954| url = https://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16122coll1/id/275144/rec/5}}{{rp|26}}