Family-Only Parking Spots?
Jeff Edelstein, a columnist in Trenton, New Jersey, writes about pulling into a premium parking place only to discover it's designated for people with children only.
"Customer with child parking," the sign read, along with a helpful pictogram showing a tot in a shopping cart.
I was aggravated by the thought of having to back out of the spot and find another one. Growling and steering wheel punching was involved.
Now understand I'm not a total jerk -- perhaps the sign can be changed so it reads that women currently giving birth can have the spot.
You know, women in labor. I'm all for giving up my spot for a woman who is moments away from having a baby.
But for someone who's already given birth? I don't think so.
And where does it end? If I went with my parents to Wegmans, can we park in the "customer with child parking" spot? I am their child, after all.
I, for one, hope this isn't the start of a new trend. Where will it end indeed? If you have four kids do you get a better spot than someone with just one? If you don't have children, are you forced to park on the street and walk? On the other hand, that a business would extend the same courtesy to a person with kids as they would one would a person with a serious disability is, well, saying something about what it's like to have kids.
[LINK]
"Customer with child parking," the sign read, along with a helpful pictogram showing a tot in a shopping cart.
I was aggravated by the thought of having to back out of the spot and find another one. Growling and steering wheel punching was involved.
Now understand I'm not a total jerk -- perhaps the sign can be changed so it reads that women currently giving birth can have the spot.
You know, women in labor. I'm all for giving up my spot for a woman who is moments away from having a baby.
But for someone who's already given birth? I don't think so.
And where does it end? If I went with my parents to Wegmans, can we park in the "customer with child parking" spot? I am their child, after all.
I, for one, hope this isn't the start of a new trend. Where will it end indeed? If you have four kids do you get a better spot than someone with just one? If you don't have children, are you forced to park on the street and walk? On the other hand, that a business would extend the same courtesy to a person with kids as they would one would a person with a serious disability is, well, saying something about what it's like to have kids.
[LINK]
4 Comments:
The way I figure, I'm just a b*tch and I park in those spots labeled "expecting mother" regardless. No one can question me because I'm female and I can always say, "How do you know that my pregnancy, even in early-non-showing stages, isn't risky?" Whatever. I have total respect for those who are handicapped and need those designated spots for easy access to facilities.
When you have a small child in tow, plus your purse and whatever else you need to do your shopping, those spots come in quite handy! SO DON'T PARK THERE!!! ;)
I see the family parking fad meeting a steady decline as it is blatantly discriminatory against orphaned individuals. I suggest we contact the businesses and communicate the fact that they are discriminating.
I have no problem at all respecting handicapped or elderly spots-obviously many of these people have a hard time going places and it is not out of choice. There is no thumbing of the nose to the handicapped or elderly who happen to be orphaned, as it includes all people-regardless of whether or no they have families.
We choose whether or not we have children, but old age isn't voluntary.
Any spot marked family? I have a family so I park there-the fact that I don't live with my family is beside the point. At first I was upset when I saw these spots then I decided I have just as much right to park there as anyone who is a member of a family. But, I feel guilty only because it is blatant discrimination against those without families.
Ug. I hate this. When I look at a pregnant woman, she sure looks handicapped to me. Imagine not being able to see your toes for months!
On the other hand, if I really needed the space, in a rush or some such, I'd park there and not feel too guilty about it. Otherwise, I don't mind the extra walk. Besides, who's to say I am not pregnant? The stores are trying to do a good thing, but it does rub a bit. And it's hard to enforce.
I like the letter-writing campaign idea best.
Oh, and have you seen the "family-friendly" grocery store shopping lines? At first I thought they were removing all the candy from children's eye level...
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