My experience was somewhat different. In K-12 school, I was mercilessly bullied by classmates. So, one place I always stayed away from was the restroom. I knew there was usually no adult supervision in there, and I was afraid of getting attacked or assaulted (much like you described, in your first shared memory from this piece).

Even if I had to pee really badly, I'd hold it in all day until I got home. My fear of using public restrooms disappeared the moment I went away to college.

But, to this day, I'm shocked that I actually have normal kidneys and a normal bladder.