Strict Family Admission Policy with Identification Verification Required
In the heart of Mainz, a family named Klee is facing a bureaucratic challenge at the city's Mombacher swimming pool. The issue at hand? A requirement for proof of family affiliation to purchase a family ticket, a practice that has sparked debate and controversy.
Annika Klee, the mother, finds this situation absurd, particularly due to the additional trips required to obtain the necessary documents. She criticizes the regulation, arguing that it disadvantages families that do not fit the traditional model, such as single parents or foster families.
Torsten Traxel, the swimming pool operator, defends the requirement, stating it's necessary to prevent misuse of the family ticket. He explains that staff may not easily recognise family affiliation due to the new naming law, making documentation essential.
The pool management requires an official document known as a Family Record Book (Familienstammbuch) to verify the family relationship between the ticket holder and accompanying family members. This document serves as proof of legal family status, ensuring that only eligible families receive the discount.
The family ticket at the Mombacher swimming pool costs 16 euros, considerably cheaper than purchasing individual tickets for each family member. Children from the age of three pay 4 euros per single ticket, adults 70 cents more at the Taubertsbergbad.
The Klee family was asked to present passports of their four children to prove their last name similarity. In addition to passports, both parents' ID cards were also required at the counter.
The situation has caused controversy and stirred discussion on social media. The German Association for Bathing Culture finds the practice in Mainz-Mombach unusual, while the city has promised to clarify the situation regarding the proof requirement at the Mombacher swimming pool.
Meanwhile, other issues are brewing in Mainz. Angry pensioners are defending against the social service year, and a welfare recipient has been granted sick leave for months and is considering leaving due to the situation. Additionally, a controversy has been ignited over the potential retirement age increase to 70 for a specific cohort.
Despite the ongoing debates, the practice of requiring proof of family affiliation for discounted family tickets at public facilities offering family discounts, such as swimming pools, seems to be common in Germany. The aim is to ensure the fair distribution of discounts and prevent misuse of family tickets. The city of Mainz is expected to provide further clarification on the matter in the coming days.
Annika Klee expresses her disapproval of the requirement for a Family Record Book, stating that it creates inconvenience for families who may not fit the traditional model, including single parents or foster families, in the context of purchasing a family ticket for the Mombacher swimming pool.
Torsten Traxel, the swimming pool operator, highlights the importance of the Family Record Book in the light of the new naming law, believing it is crucial for staff to recognize family affiliation and prevent misuse of family tickets at the Mombacher swimming pool.
