Gender and gender identity are huge topics right now.

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Here at MFM HQ, we recently shared the story of a parent who requested their child to have 'gender unknown' on their birth certificate - a story which positively exploded across the world's media.

And when we shared the news earlier in the year that a primary school in East London has decided to move to gender neutral toilets over separate boys and girls and loos, we got a tonne of responses from our mums - with lots of different views.

A few of you reckoned the move was a good one.

"I think it is a good idea," says Sue J. "I'd like to see unisex toilets become the norm in society. I fail to see how unisex toilets in a primary school would mean sexual assault is likely to occur...

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"My son's nursery have 'toilets' - not gender specific toilets and I'm ok with that."

And Kelly H says: "Some primary schools already have this in place. The toilets have their own cubicle and sink and open onto an open area, no other doors. I don't see the issue."

Though some of you were a bit torn, like Emma C who tells us: "It's a hard one... In ideal world I would say yes....

"BUT I feel comes a day when children need their own privacy, while respect these days should be taught to children it isn't always followed. Girls and boys reach a stage when bodies change... and need to feel secure in that and all extra hormones.

"That being said, not many will have issue in primary (may be some early developers, naturally shy people)...

"All I know around 9/10 I got my first "crush" I wouldn't have been able to go to the toilet in the same loo as them!"

And there were those of you who were a definite NO, too...

"No, they should be separate," says Natasha D. "Children should be encouraged to keep things private especially in this day and age. I wouldn't be happy if my daughter had to go in the same cubicles as the boys."

And Louise R says: "Honestly, I don't think it's a good idea unless it is a single toilet room that is lockable from the inside with one child at a time in there.

"Maybe I'm old fashioned but I wouldn't want a boy to have the chance to look under the toilet door and see my daughter with her knickers down."

And here's Michelle W's take on it: "It's hard enough for kids at school. My daughter found it hard to use the toilet when the girls often used the space to gossip. I would imagine it more difficult if there were boys too."

What do you think?

Would you be OK with your child's school having gender neutral toilets or not? Tell us in the comments below or over on Facebook

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Authors

Tara BreathnachContent Editor and Social Media Producer

Tara is mum to 1 daughter, Bodhi Rae, and has worked as Content Editor and Social Media Producer at MadeForMums since 2015

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