# Kids swimming in pools
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [July 13, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904 "2009-07-13T21:29:58Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@SeanArenas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeanArenas)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/1 "2009-07-13T21:29:58Z")
For years I’ve been icked out by the idea that kids pee in pools, so I haven’t want to swim in pools that kids swim in.
Our apartment’s pool has a lot of kids who swim in it, and it’s been years since I’ve been swimming.
What’s your thoughts on swimming in pools that many kids swim in?
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### Author:  [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/2 "2009-07-13T21:40:54Z")
Since the OP is seeking opinions, this is better suited for IMHO than GQ.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
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### Author:  [@YamatoTwinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YamatoTwinkie)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/3 "2009-07-13T21:43:26Z")
Keep in mind that:
A. Urine is pretty much sterile
B. It’s not just small children peeing in pools. A college friend of mine who was on the swim team relayed to me that \*everyone \* did it (nobody’s going to interrupt practice to go run to the bathroom unless absolutely necessary), and it wasn’t a big deal.
C. Even if nobody did it, that water would still be flowing freely around everyone’s nether-regions anyway, picking up stuff way grosser (IMHO) than a little diluted urine.
D. Ever swam in the ocean, or in a lake/river? Where do you think all the marine life use the restroom? Where do you think all the rainwater runoff from the cow pasture ends up?
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### Author:  [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/4 "2009-07-13T21:45:11Z")
We’ve had other threads where people don’t seem to think it’s a big deal. But people don’t just whip out their dicks (or, whatever) and pee when they’re sitting around outside. What’s the difference here? How is it socially acceptable to pee in a pool?
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### Author:  [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/5 "2009-07-13T21:57:24Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#):
>
> We’ve had other threads where people don’t seem to think it’s a big deal. But people don’t just whip out their dicks (or, whatever) and pee when they’re sitting around outside. What’s the difference here? How is it socially acceptable to pee in a pool?
can’t it be both “not socially acceptable” _ **and** _ not a “big deal?”
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### Author:  [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/6 "2009-07-13T21:58:01Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#):
>
> We’ve had other threads where people don’t seem to think it’s a big deal. But people don’t just whip out their dicks (or, whatever) and pee when they’re sitting around outside. What’s the difference here? How is it socially acceptable to pee in a pool?
It’s socially acceptable because no one can SEE you doing it! Not only can no one see the actual urination process, but no one can see your nether bits, either.
Also, I’d argue that it’s not so much “socially acceptable” so much as it is “invisible.” Most people don’t actually like the idea much, but it’s tough to police something no one can see happening.
As for the OP: I’m not squicked out by pee in a pool, whether it comes from a kid or from an adult.
But I won’t swim in public pools filled with little kids for a different reason: [cryptosporydium](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptosporidiosis). There are outbreaks in the area every summer, and people just won’t get it through their heads that “swim diapers” don’t really do what you think they do.
I’m happy to swim with anyone who’s potty-trained and knows to get out of the pool before taking a dump.
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### Author:  [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/7 "2009-07-13T21:58:03Z")
> [@Procrustus](#):
>
> can’t it be both “not socially acceptable” _ **and** _ not a “big deal?”
Well, are there any examples of things like that?
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### Author:  [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/8 "2009-07-13T21:58:19Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#):
>
> We’ve had other threads where people don’t seem to think it’s a big deal. But people don’t just whip out their dicks (or, whatever) and pee when they’re sitting around outside.
You’ve obviously lived a very sheltered life. 😉
Anyway doesn’t the chlorine help mitigate the nastiness?
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### Author:  [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/9 "2009-07-13T22:00:40Z")
> [@YamatoTwinkie](#):
>
> B. It’s not just small children peeing in pools. A college friend of mine who was on the swim team relayed to me that \*everyone \* did it (nobody’s going to interrupt practice to go run to the bathroom unless absolutely necessary), and it wasn’t a big deal.
Eew. I used to be on a swim team, and our coach wouldn’t give us time to go run to the bathroom – so we went before, or after. Not _during_.
Especially nasty since you’re sharing a lane with several other swimmers on the team – so if the guy in front of you lets fly, your face is only a few feet from his feet. Guess who’ll be sucking in all that toilet water? Eew.
Anyway. Yes, kids pee in the pool. One of the reasons you need the pool chemicals to balance the pH. When I was teaching lessons at the Y, we had to treat the water more frequently on days there were “Poliwog” classes.
However, dilution + pool chemicals means you’re not going to be getting a concentrated squirt of urine-water. (unless you’re on YamatoTwinkie’s friend’s swim team, apparently).
Either way, I’d far prefer that to sucking down a giant waterbug while doing fly. _hack_
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### Author:  [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/10 "2009-07-13T22:01:47Z")
Waterbugs live in pools?! I’m NEVER going swimming again ever.
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### Author:  [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/11 "2009-07-13T22:05:12Z")
It happens, and it’s not a big deal. Besides the fact that urine is pretty much harmless, the chlorine kills anything in the water. The volume of water in a pool compared to the tiny potential amount of urine renders the health problems moot.
Growing up I was a pool rat, and swam competitively, life guarded, and taught swim lessons. I never gave it a second thought.
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### Author:  [@Jorge\_Burrito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jorge_Burrito)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/12 "2009-07-13T22:07:45Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#):
>
> We’ve had other threads where people don’t seem to think it’s a big deal. But people don’t just whip out their dicks (or, whatever) and pee when they’re sitting around outside. What’s the difference here? How is it socially acceptable to pee in a pool?
I wouldn’t necessarily say it is socially acceptable to pee in a pool, but I digress. The fact that you have to whip out your dick (or, whatever) to pee outside, certainly adds to the unacceptable part. You don’t have to take off your swimsuit to pee in a pool, thus no genitalia. Although I know it happens, I don’t think I have actually caught anyone peeing in a pool.
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### Author:  [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/13 "2009-07-13T22:08:40Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#):
>
> Waterbugs live in pools?! I’m NEVER going swimming again ever.
Eh, just swim after the swim team. They’ll have hoovered up all the bugs, and all you’ll have to deal with is their urine.
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### Author:  [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/14 "2009-07-13T22:09:24Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#):
>
> Also, I’d argue that it’s not so much “socially acceptable” so much as it is “invisible.” Most people don’t actually like the idea much, but it’s tough to police something no one can see happening.
That’s right - the P is silent, as in ‘bath’
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### Author:  [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/15 "2009-07-13T22:12:30Z")
I suppose somebody ought to quote WC Fields’ objection to drinking water:
“Because fish fuck in it!”
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### Author:  [@SeanArenas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeanArenas)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/16 "2009-07-13T22:55:21Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#):
>
> I won’t swim in public pools filled with little kids for a different reason: [cryptosporydium](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptosporidiosis). There are outbreaks in the area every summer, and people just won’t get it through their heads that “swim diapers” don’t really do what you think they do.
>
> I’m happy to swim with anyone who’s potty-trained and knows to get out of the pool before taking a dump.
I read a bit more on it: [http://www.lifesaving.com/issues/articles/16cyptosporidium.html](http://www.lifesaving.com/issues/articles/16cyptosporidium.html) and it says:
[QUOTE=Cryptosporidium article]
The infection occurs after accidental swallowing of Cryptosporidium oocysts in contaminated pool water, by drinking contaminated tap water, eating or drinking contaminated food products, or through direct contact with feces.
[/QUOTE]
If I keep the water from going into my mouth and don’t inhale it, am I safe?
I used to be a Jr. Lifeguard for 3 years, and also used to swim in the ocean a wholllleee bunch. Think I’m equipped to keep my lips shut tight enough to keep the spores out?
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### Author:  [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/17 "2009-07-13T23:28:59Z")
Dude…or Dude ett
The manly parts that men have are being rinsed off in the pool water.
The womanly parts women have are being rinsed off in the pool water.
The other (brownish) parts they both share in common are being rinsed off in the pool water…
Sterile urine is the LEAST of your problem…
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### Author:  [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/18 "2009-07-13T23:34:48Z")
Which is why you’re supposed to shower off before you get into the pool.
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### Author:  [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/19 "2009-07-13T23:45:04Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#):
>
> Which is why you’re supposed to shower off before you get into the pool.
Yeah…keep telling yourself that takes care of it all…
Remember, when you swim with someone, you are swimming with that person and every person that person has “swam” with and every person those people have “swam” with and on and on…
Am I helping any ? 🙂
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### Author:  [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)
#### Post date: [July 13, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-swimming-in-pools/502904/20 "2009-07-13T23:45:17Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#):
>
> Which is why you’re supposed to shower off before you get into the pool.
But the point is people don’t scrub their assholes in the shower before getting in the pool.
SSG Schwartz
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