Around the Web…

TGIF! Get your Friday going with our afternoon links:

• Air Asia to begin offering child-free zones on flights – BBC News Magazine
• Louis C.K. on the lowered expectations for fathers – HuffPost Parents
• 10 baby registries worth checking out – iVillage.com
• How often do you play the kid card? – ModernMom.com
• BPA can affect ovaries across generations – Mother Jones
  

Comments

B.J. (the girl) on September 29th, 2012

It isn’t a crying child that irks me when I travel. I understand babies cry. It’s the parents who do nothing to stop the child from screaming in my ear, kicking my seat nonstop, even running up and down the aisle that make children unbearable while traveling.

I think it’s hilarious that anyone would consider this like being a “second class citizen.” From my experience, it’s the childless adults that are treated differently for not giving in and procreating, like there’s something wrong with those of us who see the benefits of staying child-free. Sorry if you envy my 10-hours-of-sleep per night, or all my extra free time, but you can’t make me feel guilty for not squeezing out a baby in my 20′s!

Erika on September 29th, 2012

I don’t have children yet, but I do work with very young kids so I am very comfortable around infants and toddlers. I don’t get annoyed with babies on planes and I totally understand there is only so much parents can do. However, I can see why Air Asia would create a child-free section. Infants cry a lot on planes because of the pressure on their ears and the unfamiliar movements (who can blame them?) and some people are traveling for business and really need to get work done or some may need to sleep if they have to work as soon as they arrive at their destination. Some people also have really severe anxiety over flying that might be aggravated by the screams of an infant.

Overall, I don’t think it’s a big deal and I don’t think it is anything ‘against’ people with kids. I wouldn’t pay to sit away from kids, but some people just need the quiet and space.

Steph on September 30th, 2012

I have three kids and fly frequently. I agree with the other posters- that it’s often the parents who do nothing that are more irritating than the actual crying child! I do think though, that this child-free zone is just another way for the airlines to charge passengers more $

anon on September 30th, 2012

What would you have people do – beat their children into silence? Never go anywhere again? Sorry, but little kids and babies behave like little kids and babies. They have trouble sitting still or being quiet for long periods of time. Fact of life. Why can’t grown adults deal with that every once in a while? Whenever I travel (sans child), I have no problem with the kids around me because I know that the parent is suffering more than I am and the least I can do is provide a little compassion to my fellow human beings. I know it’s not all about me in this world!