‘Pornographic’: New Zealand mum calls for G-string ban at public pool

A woman has sparked debate after calling for “pornographic” G-string bikinis to be banned from her local swimming pool.

A New Zealand woman has divided public opinion after calling for “pornographic” G-string bikinis to be banned from her local swimming pool.

Amy Dixon launched an online petition urging the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre in New Plymouth to enact the rule after one of her three sons was subject to a “young lady walking around in a very revealing piece of swimwear” during his swimming lesson.

“The term itsy bitsy teeny weeny bikini seems to have taken on a whole new meaning with the G-string bikini becoming a popular choice among some of our young woman (sic),” Ms Dixon wrote on Change.org, where her plight has garnered more than 300 signatures.

“My family has often been left feeling uncomfortable and the enclosed area means looking away or moving spaces is not always an option. I wonder whether it also creates a barrier for other members in our community where they may avoid these spaces altogether.”

The Todd Energy Aquatic Centre in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Picture: Todd Energy Aquatic Centre

New Zealand mum Amy Dixon described the tog bottoms as ‘pornographic’. Picture: istock

Ms Dixon added that she “would love our local pool to be a family friendly space where community members of all ages, backgrounds, beliefs and cultures can feel safe and free to enjoy themselves”.

“I can’t help (but) wonder if others feel the same and maybe collectively we can do something about it by getting a petition going to ban G-string swimwear and make some change for the better.”

Speaking to New Zealand publication Stuff, Ms Dixon said she didn’t want to be an “overprotective mum”, but claimed there are new few spaces in society where her sons can “enjoy themselves without having to be on alert, avoid places or look away”.

“It was the frustration after spending a summer at rivers, beaches and the pools, of always seeing girls in G-string bikinis,” she told the outlet.

Todd Energy Aquatic Centre operations manager, Mike Roberts, agreed it could be time for a change in light of Ms Dixon’s petition, telling Stuff he would “certainly put it forward for discussion” with other aquatic centres at the upcoming Waves Conference 2024.

Her stance also found favour with some patrons, who in the comments of the petition wrote the attire was “not appropriate for a public swimming pool where families congregate”.

“I agree. A line between function, decency and pornography has to be function first,” another commented.

Others, however, accused Ms Dixon of having “double standards”.

“I assure you, an eight-year-old does not find bikinis pornographic,” one person wrote on social media.

Another questioned how “an ass in a string isn’t OK but a bulge in budgie smugglers is”.

Social media users accused the mum of having ‘double standards’. Picture Glenn Hampson

Gold Coast man Ian Grace called for the swimsuits to be outlawed at his local beaches earlier this year.

The issue ignited debate earlier this year on Aussie shores, when a Queensland man called on Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate to outlaw the skimpy swimwear at local beaches.

In a letter published by The Gold Coast Bulletin in February, long-time community worker Ian Grace wrote he was desperate for women to “cover up”, saying the tiny tog trend was sending the “wrong message”.

“While any man would enjoy ‘the view’, I believe women are very much demeaning and cheapening themselves, portraying themselves as sex objects, then decrying it when men see them that way,” he wrote.

“Bare bums can be seen to be every bit as erotic if not more so, than women’s bare breasts – so would it not make sense they are banned identically? If not banned at the beach, very definitely banned the moment they are off the beach.

“This certainly should not be allowed in public pools or theme/water parks which are very much more family orientated. Young kids don’t need to see women’s bums.”

The plea left many angered, with the resounding sentiment being that Mr Grace’s message was “blatantly sexist and outdated”.

Mr Tate ultimately dismissed Mr Grace’s calls, describing him as “a brave man (to be) messing with women’s fashion”.

“One thing I’ve learnt about fashion over the years is that if you try to ban something, or restrict it, that’s a certain recipe to see it double in popularity,” he added.

Originally published as ‘Pornographic’: New Zealand mum calls for G-string ban at public pool