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

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

There are other ways for people to invest in the future of the country. In the U.S., child bearing is not seen as the only way. For instance, how about me? I'm representing many immigrants who are smart, capable and energetic. Most of them are young men. With my assistance they will become U.S. citizens in the future. Is my civic duty accomplished? I've brought more bodies onto my native soil. More potential "defenders" of the homeland. :) But this is a strange Russian mentality to me - to only think about "defenders" as a justification to have kids. And I do a lot of other charitable work (not only legal), which invests in the future of my nation.

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

"
I'm representing many immigrants who are smart, capable and energetic.
"

I do not believe that they are better than you.
Accepting such immigrants the country would loose breed and class.
You are beautful and smart. But instead of your children, potentially also beautiful and smart, the country would get something hell khows what from Africa of South America with uncertain features.

I cannot imagine future America where such people prevail.

I think that even when an empire gets multi-ethnic there still should be a core group whose quailties and culture made this empire possible.
When this group becomes weak then the empire declines.
That's what has happened to Rome :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I'm flattered that you think I'm beautiful and smart. But sometimes people with these qualities have unattractive, stupid or delinquent children. So I believe your hypothesis is a bit flawed. :))

[stanislav-kiev.livejournal.com]

Yep, your contribution matters. But parents do that, too: it's called "work", each in their own field. Do you think your work is uniquely worthy?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

No, I don't think my work is more worthy. I've always said that being a good parent is the hardest job in the world. I was only responding to a comment written by another reader.