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

[new-forester.livejournal.com]

It's probably good for their business to appeal to customers with children in this way, and it's their private lot, they can set their own rules. However, I doubt these signs are enforceable. If you park there, what are they going to do?
OTOH, if I were you, I'd stop patronizing this business, as a matter of principle. If they make you feel unwelcome, why return there?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

They are not enforceable. :) It's not like a handicap spot, where this an over $100 fine for parking w/out the proper handicap tag. I've only seen this type of "child" parking in a few places. Now I'm living in 100% suburbia. There are almost no single people here, all families. It's very strange for me because I previously lived in an area where there were mostly single professional people. So, it's just a life and mentality adjustment to go back to the burbs. :)