July 9th 2024.
A mother from New Zealand has caused quite a stir by proposing a ban on G-string bikinis at a popular public swimming pool in New Plymouth. Amy Dixon, who has three sons, started an online petition questioning whether her desire for the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre to enforce a rule against skimpy swimwear made her a prude. The petition has gained over 120 signatures so far.
Dixon's campaign was sparked by an incident where her eight-year-old son was confronted by a young woman wearing a G-string during his swimming lesson. She described the swimwear as "pornographic" and expressed concern for the values society is promoting. "The term 'itsy bitsy teeny weeny bikini' seems to have taken on a whole new meaning," Dixon wrote on her petition page. She also shared her thoughts with the local paper, Taranaki Daily News, stating, "I don't want to be an overprotective mom. Is that the space we're in with society now? If so, I'll find ways to prepare my kids for that. But do we have to do that?"
Currently, the aquatic centre's dress code does not have a minimum standard for swimwear, except for requiring adequate coverage of breasts for women. However, Dixon has gained support from some locals who believe that public places should be safe spaces for children and families.
Interestingly, this issue has also sparked debate in Australia, with a man from Queensland facing backlash for calling on the Gold Coast council to ban skimpy bikini bottoms from beaches. The Gold Coast mayor dismissed the idea, but the operator of Todd Energy Aquatic Centre in New Plymouth seems more open to it. According to operations manager Mike Roberts, the increase in G-string bikinis can be attributed to the influx of European tourists after Covid. "I think you'd find that the majority of them are tourists," he said.
Currently, it is up to individual centres to determine swimwear etiquette. The policy of New Plymouth Aquatic Centre is aligned with other centres in Auckland, Hamilton, and Dunedin, where all swimmers must wear recognized swimwear at all times in the water. However, there are no specific requirements for adequate coverage. This issue has sparked a larger conversation about the values and standards we want to uphold in our society.
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