The growing trend toward coed shower rooms at US colleges and universities has become a topic of debate among students. While some see it as a measure to promote integration, others believe it neglects privacy and safety concerns. According to a recent survey by the National College Health Assessment, 14% of colleges and universities in the US have mixed-gender shower rooms. This number has risen in recent years as more and more institutions seek to make their infrastructure more inclusive.

Arguments for and against mixed shower rooms

Mixed shower rooms at colleges and universities are a topic that strongly divides students. Opinions are divided precisely because these are intimate spaces where one’s body becomes visible and vulnerable.

Concerns of opponents

Opponents of such facilities emphasize privacy above all else. They fear that being forced to expose their naked or semi-naked bodies in the presence of the opposite sex will put many students in a situation they find uncomfortable, embarrassing, or even invasive.

Young people in particular, who are just beginning to develop a relationship with their own bodies, often feel insecure in such situations. The fear of attracting unwanted attention or finding one’s own body inadequate can lead to tension that turns the otherwise mundane act of showering into an emotionally stressful experience.

Cultural and religious backgrounds also play a role. Students from families or communities where nudity in front of strangers—especially members of the opposite sex—is strictly avoided find mixed shower rooms unacceptable. They feel compelled to either conform to the norms of the university or not use the facilities at all. Finally, safety concerns are also repeatedly raised: Some students worry that mixed-gender shower rooms could open the door to inappropriate behavior and assault.

Arguments in favor

Proponents of mixed-gender shower rooms see them as a sign of progress and active inclusion. For them, sharing such a space is an expression of equality and respect. No one is being forced to do anything – rather, it should become normal for all genders to be able to use the same facilities under the same conditions. From this perspective, mixed shower rooms help to challenge outdated taboos and artificial boundaries that often have less to do with consideration and more to do with outdated notions of morality and decency.

Many advocates also emphasize the inclusive nature of such solutions. Especially for non-binary or trans students who feel out of place in traditional gender-specific facilities, mixed shower rooms are often the first option that excludes no one. Showering together is seen as everyday and natural—a space where bodies can simply be bodies without being immediately sexualized or judged.

A positive outlook

Mixed shower rooms show how our society is changing. They can be a symbol that diversity and difference are no longer seen as a problem, but as an opportunity. Of course, it will always be important to find solutions that meet everyone’s needs – through lockable cubicles, quiet rooms, or the freedom to choose between mixed and separate facilities. But where openness and respect characterize interactions, such spaces can liberate the way we view the body: away from the compulsion to hide or judge it, toward an attitude that recognizes and celebrates bodies in all their diversity and allows them to become a matter of course.

Possible solutions and their limitations

Some colleges have tried to allay privacy concerns by installing individual shower cubicles with lockable doors. However, these measures are not without their problems. Especially when getting dressed or undressed, or waiting for a free cubicle, there are moments when students feel naked or half-naked and unprotected. Young adults are often particularly sensitive about their bodies and their effect on others—a sensitivity that can be explored in many ways in the New Adult or ENF (embarrassed nude female) genre of literature.

Literary opportunities: vulnerability and sensuality

Young adults worry about their bodies and the effect they have on others. The prospect of sharing intimate spaces with members of the opposite sex makes many feel even more insecure. The feeling of awkwardness and embarrassment that students experience when using these facilities, which can lead to vulnerability, is a topic that also interests us as erotic authors. In this context, the ENF genre has become popular, focusing on the experiences of women who expose themselves to men and the feelings of vulnerability that arise.

Authors can explore how this development can be made tangible for their readers, for example by addressing the vulnerability of exposure. But mixed-gender shower rooms also offer scope for literary experimentation, for sensual descriptions as well as erotic conflicts, from the perspective of exhibitionism and voyeurism.

Example: The first encounter in the communal shower

Mia entered the shower room. She was still wearing the baggy old hoodie she had quickly thrown on when she left her room. Underneath, she was wearing only her underwear and bra. The steam hit her, and the smell of soap, shampoo, and warm water was everywhere. She stopped at the bench and looked around. The room was large, the tiles glistening with moisture. Several young men were standing under the showers, one of them pushing his hair out of his forehead, water running down his body in narrow rivulets. At the back, in the semi-darkness, she also saw two women soaping themselves.

She felt her heart beating faster. You knew that men and women shower together here. Don’t be silly. Nevertheless, she hesitated. Her gaze darted to a young man who had noticed her. For a moment, they looked at each other, then his gaze wandered—fleetingly, but clearly—over her body, as far as her sweater would allow.

Mia felt her face flush. She turned toward the wall and hastily pulled off her sweater. The fabric was damp from the humid air. Her bra was already sticking slightly to her skin. She hung the sweater on a hook and slipped her thumbs under the waistband of her panties. After a brief hesitation, she quickly pulled them down. She felt vulnerable, naked. The air in the room was warm, but goose bumps ran down her back and arms. She felt the stares—or was she imagining it? She knew the young man was looking again. Her nipples tightened, the dampness of the room mixing with the light film of sweat on her skin. I’m just going to take a quick shower. Just a quick rinse under the water.

She walked over, stood under one of the shower heads, felt the hot water running down her body – and with it a mixture of relief and lingering tension.

Example 2: The discomfort of changing clothes

Jonas stood in front of his locker, a towel loosely wrapped around his hips. He had just finished showering, his hair still dripping wet, his back damp. He rummaged in his bag, looking for a fresh pair of shorts. His fingers trembled slightly, and he didn’t know why. Maybe it was the heat. Maybe it was the sounds behind him: footsteps, the soft rustling of fabric.

He turned slightly—a reflex. A young woman had just removed the towel from her body. For a moment, before she turned away, he saw her clearly: the damp sheen of her skin, the wet strands of hair clinging to her breasts and stomach. Her hips were narrow, her pubic hair dark and shiny from the water. The glance was unintentional, he knew that, but he had looked. Only for a split second. But she noticed.

Her eyes met his, wide, surprised, then a hint of anger—or shame? She turned away, her arms pulled tightly against her body as if to protect herself. Jonas felt the blood rushing in his ears. Damn it, why did you look? Now she thinks you’re a peeping Tom. He swallowed, turned back to the locker, but the image was there—as clear as if she were still standing in front of him. His hands finally grabbed the item of clothing he was looking for. But his thoughts continued to revolve around the moment they had seen each other, naked, vulnerable, strangers, and yet so close for a heartbeat.

Sensitive spaces, great narrative possibilities

The appeal lies in the attentive gaze at each person’s unique body and in the precise description of bodies and sensations: the cool touch of the tiles on bare feet, the play of water running down the body, the contrast of hot water and air on wet skin, the tension in a glance or a movement, the uncertainty of gestures when covering the body.

Literature can thus reveal the diversity of body shapes and celebrate their dignity and beauty. The tension arises where personal boundaries meet social expectations and physical reality.

Mixed-gender shower facilities are becoming increasingly common at American colleges and universities. While they promote inclusion, they also raise questions about privacy, safety, and cultural norms. For young adults, using these facilities can be a daunting task, leaving them feeling exposed and vulnerable. For erotica writers, mixed-gender shower facilities offer a unique setting in which to explore the complexities of vulnerability, privacy, and pleasure. We hope that this blog post has sparked ideas and conversations about how to address this emerging trend in your future writing projects.