A Requisite Social Dialogue.

Today, while at work (because it's not like I actually have anything to do here) I was reading this post on Jezebel regarding the ongoing debate about kids. I think this all started a while back when some parents (in Willamsburg, natch) brought their baby into a bar-type establishment. Since then, there's been a pretty consistent stream of posts on various sites giving opinions on the topic. The big question that seems to be dividing people is: Should parents be able to bring their kids wherever they want? This has gone from, let's be honest, the insanity of bringing your toddler with you to a crowded bar on a Friday night, to people saying that kids shouldn't really be allowed in restaurants or on public transportation (seriously).

Then of course you have the backlash, which is what this article focuses on. It features of lots of long quotes from one writer, who claims that trying to ban kids from certain places is ageism and discrimination, and should not be any more acceptable than telling someone they can't eat at your restaurant because they're a different race than you are.

Now really, people. Get a grip.

This situation makes me think of an amusement park, which is a place where children are accepted and even encouraged to go. There are a lot of rides at an amusement park. There are the big, scary roller coasters, with height requirements. You know why there are height requirements? For safety reasons. Because people below a certain height can absolutely not ride on the roller coaster safely. It's not because the people who run the park hate children and midgets, it's because this is an environment in which they are not safe and should not be in. It's a ride designed specifically for adults, which is meant to be enjoyed by adults.

And you know what they do at amusement parks? They have other rides. Rides that are safe for kids. So that way everyone can have fun.

Now, I don't have kids. And I won't for a long time. But I like kids, and I don't see anything wrong with having them around in restaurants, or walking down the street, or even chilling in the university building where I work (there are a lot of professors that have their kids around occasionally, and I think that's great). And there are a lot of places designed specifically for children: playgrounds, children's clothing stores, schools, etc.

So why can't there be some places that are for adults? If I go out to a club with my friends, I want to be able to get a little crazy without worrying about scarring the small child sitting there. It's not my responsibility at any time in my day-to-day life to curb my behavior because your child is around, and it's especially not my responsibility to look out for kids if I want to swear while I'm sitting in a bar. I don't have a problem with cleaning up my language if there's a kid sitting next to me on a subway, and I shush my friends who won't do the same. I think it's common courtesy to the parent. But don't bring your kid to an environment designed for adults and then get offended when people behave like adults.

That's what babysitters are for.