Discrimination against the childless!

[peacetraveler22]

America is a country of convenience, but for whom? In Virginia, we're having torrential rains the past few days, but this doesn't stop me from doing ordinary chores. A woman still has to eat, even in the pouring rain. After a very long day in the office, I drove to a crowded new grocery store. I had no umbrella, so my tired eyes began searching for a parking space near the entrance so I wouldn't get even more wet. Then I saw this sign!! Right beside the handicapped spaces in each parking aisle are two reserved spots for "Customers with Children." Why? Tell me please why I should have to park further away, carry my heavy bags a longer distance, and get soaking wet just because I'm childless? Being a parent is suddenly a handicap, worthy of a special parking spot?

Then I went inside the store and saw delicious cookies being offered by "Harry the Happy Dragon." But for kids only. What happens if I decide to take one? Will the dragon breathe fire at me? :)



Do you think parents should have special parking spaces? I don't. I'm sure being a parent is one of the most rewarding and life changing events in a human's life, but with this choice also comes a new set of responsibilities, joys and inconveniences. One of them includes taking much longer to leave the house, board the car and leave it, especially when dealing with an infant. I've done it many, many times with young relatives and my nephew. Such is life...

I love children, but don't think parenthood should equal special and favorable treatment. Not at the grocery store and definitely not in the workplace. How about airplanes, and the nightmare of having an unruly and screaming child near you? Of course, we've all experienced it and in such situations I'm usually very calm and sympathetic as long as the parent tries to correct the child's behavior. Should single people and solo travelers have a "child free" cabin, so they can rest in peace during long flights? :) Personally, I think this idea is ridiculous.

Do you have these special parking spaces for parents at Russian stores?

Comments

[jgofri.livejournal.com]

Getting to the store with a toddler or two in tow is more difficult then getting there alone. A lot more difficult than it is for a healthy able-bodied adult. Young age makes children more vulnerable - to the cold from rain, to the other cars on the parking lot.
When people see someone in a difficult and vulnerable situation, human kindness makes them want to help. So yes, it is pretty much the same.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Okay, you make sensible arguments. Maybe you have convinced me to change my view on this issue. :)

[jgofri.livejournal.com]

By the way, in my opinion the level of human kindness is a very good mark of society's quality of living, of people's general well-being. When people have more resources to share, they tend to be kinder to each other than when life is a constant struggle. It's a lot more difficult to be kind when you are drained, whether emotionally or physically.