What is the underlying meaning to the song “YMCA”?
The YMCA, or Young Men’s Christian Association, was intended to provide cheap temporary accommodations and resources in urban areas with a wholesome Christian environment. There is also a system of YWCAs, or Young Women’s Christian Association. The sexes were segregated to aid in keeping the environments “wholesome.” At one point they were both considered a nice and reasonable place for travelers, or young people new to a city, to stay. As the organizations grew, they began to provide more resources like gyms, pools, lectures and learning opportunities at cheap to no cost in an attempt to aid the urban working class and poor. The housing provided by YMCAs are now typically more for people in serious financial trouble or people who are homeless. They really were not hook-up places or bathhouses. After people began to be more aware of homosexuality, the fact that the sexes were being segregated began to start some rumors and jokes. It is often asserted without proof or documentation that
