Some stories for your Tuesday afternoon:
I loved Disney movies and romanatic comedies but I also know they are not based in reality.
- JC on
I am planning on having kids in the future and I sometimes ask myself, what did pregnant woman do 20 years ago? Special parking? Seriously? If there is a medical reason that the woman needs special parking, she can get a temporary handicapped parking pass, my cousin did it when she was pregnant because she had high blood pressure or something. I live in New York and it is hard enough to find a spot to begin with, I can’t even imagine what it would be like if we added any more extra spots. This would probably benefit me in the future as I am planning on starting a family someday, however I still think it’s wrong. Pregnancy is not a disability or a medical condition, sorry. I’m sure it can be difficult and annoying, but if there is a real problem where she physically can not walk that far, doctors will give a temporary handicapped pass.
- Erika on
“In the Disney versions most of us grew up with, it’s really more about the prince. The girl is obviously still the star of the show, but it’s about the prince’s fight to win her. And she’s very passive. But the Grimm’s princesses are not passive. They’re really actors in their own fate. And they’re often clever; they’re often strong.”
Well that’s the Disneys *she* grew up with. For the last 20 years the princesses have mostly gone back to the second description. Starting with the Little Mermaid… in 1989. So, irrelevant for the today’s little girls really.
But apart from that the article is very interesting and I think quite true, it’s just a pity that the focus is put on Disney and princesses so much in the article and title of the book – because you’d think that’s all it’s about when it atually seems to be quite a small (and debatable) part.
- Alice on
Erika if you ever have a child come back and let us know your thoughts on the special parking! 
I think pregnant women deserve it, for multiple reasons. I also love the parking for new moms, the infant seats are ridiculously heavy and it gets old carrying them a mile down the parking lot, especially because you’re already exhausted from not sleeping and stressed from such a huge life change, closer parking just makes life a TAD easier.
Could they do without the special spots and deal with it like everyone else? Yes, but it’s a polite thing to do for someone carrying a child.
- jessicad on
I am against the parking for moms. Having children is a choice. Put the car seat in a stroller and walk a little bit. I don’t think being pregnant or being a mom should allow you to park up closer. It actually makes me quite upset when there are less handicap spots at the store by me, to make room for the moms. As someone who is disabled, I can’t walk far. I didn’t chose this life. Because you may be tired, you should get to park up close? I think more handicap people should have spots bc sadly there are not enough, if anything.
- Jill on
I honestly think all malls and grocery stores should have special parking for pregnant women and families with young children. As a woman who has had three kids in three years, I find it refreshing when I don’t have to push my young children with or without the pregnant belly through a very crowded parking lot. I used to live in Connecticut and shopped at a grocery store that had special parking like this adjacent to the handicapped spots, and it was great.
- Angela on
JessicaD and Angela, I don’t disagree with the spots and I think it’s a nice thing to do. However, I just don’t see how they should make it a law. I don’t think that places like bars (where many pregnant women wouldn’t be anyway) and restaurants should be required to have these permits, considering you aren’t really carrying too much stuff in and out and the parking lots aren’t usually as big as ones at department stores and malls. I also don’t think doctors offices should be required to considering most people visiting them have some medical ailment. I am not against the spots by any means, they are a nice idea, but I just don’t think there should be a law.
- Erika on
Erika, I agree that it shouldn’t be a law.
- Angela on
It should not be a law to cater to pregnant women…. Pregnancy is a choice. I would not frequent a place who offers this. The article, while I did read quickly, I believe touched on only pregnant women and would give them a parking spot and privlidges just like disabled people. WHAT?!?!?!?!?! So a person who choses to get pregnant gets the same rights as someone who 9 times out of 10 doesn’t chose their disability! That is exactly what is wrong with this country.
And just for the record…..I am pregnant.
- Jill on
I agree with you guys too. Looks like the bill would give a special card to women for a certain amount of time, 30 days around the due date or for women with complications sounds perfect. The last few weeks of pregnancy are especially hard, I remember just standing made it hard to breath, and barely making to the bathroom in time with a 6 lb baby on my bladder, so a few less steps makes a difference:)
That’s awful you can’t find parking spots very often. I see them open a lot in my part of the country. I don’t think it’s fair to compare pregnancy to disable people by saying it’s a choice though, and I’m not saying that in a rude way, honestly. A lot of disabled people made choices to get to that point also, overeating and being too heavy to walk long distances, or smoking or drinking and causing cancer, etc.
Also, putting the seat in a stroller and walking a bit is great at times, but not something you can do at places like the grocery store when you need a buggy for food!
- jessicad on
You chose it, you deal with it is a really bad attitude to have. So what? These are the people who are carrying the next generation. How about a little respect? Sure, they can walk, and sure, they chose it, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get taken care of. It’s the kind thing to do.
- ecl on
Funny how you have the one well-written, smart, educated article about Disney princesses and potentially harmful gender stereotyping at the top. Then the bottom link is to a silly, bubble-headed, stereotypical to the bone mom freaking out about her little “princess” possibly growing a penis while still in utero, whining about all the frilly little dresses she’d have to return. The whole blog page is pink and girly and ridiculous. Was the juxtaposition intentional, CBB?
- lady on
I am going to slowly walk away…….
- Jill on
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