What explains the absence of doors on boys’ bathroom stalls throughout the 1960s and 1970s? If you went to school in the 1960s or 1970s—especially in places like Ellen Stiles School or Auburn High School in Rockford—you might remember a peculiar (and uncomfortable) fact: The restroom stalls for boys at schools during this time commonly lacked doors. For students today, that sounds bizarre. During that time period, such bathroom designs were standard practice in numerous schools throughout the United States. You were left with two options: either go in front of anyone who entered the bathroom or hold it, which sometimes is not an option, so it’s back to option one.
A 1987 VISIT TO A ROCKFORD McDONALD’S, TAKE A RIDE BACK! (VIDEO)
The Push for Visibility and Control
The primary purpose behind removing stall doors from boys’ bathrooms at schools was to prevent misbehavior. School administrators held the view that more visible environments would help decrease vandalism and fights along with smoking and other misconduct which typically occurred in hidden areas. School authorities adopted the straightforward yet extreme measure of door removal to address escalating disciplinary issues…