A swimming pool in Jiangsu Province, China, has sparked controversy by restricting access to women under 45 with college degrees. The 2049 International Swimming and Diving Center, which recently implemented this rule, charges a membership fee of 576 yuan (about $80).
The pool’s management defended their decision with an unusual rationale. They argue that educated women will likely exhibit higher intelligence and better social behavior. Essentially, they aim to minimize incidents such as theft by prioritizing individuals with academic credentials.
This announcement sparked mixed reactions online. Some people criticized the policy, questioning whether a degree should be necessary to swim and arguing that education does not guarantee good behavior. Others defended the pool’s right to set its own rules, noting that businesses can choose their customers if the rules are legal.
Earlier this year, a gym in South Korea faced backlash for posting a sign that banned “ajumma,” a term for middle-aged women, and allowing only “cultured and elegant women” to use the facilities. The gym justified its policy by citing issues with some women spending 1 to 2 hours in the shower doing laundry and stealing towels or soap, with some even going as far as defecating in the changing room.
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