In a recent flying experience, I faced a disheartening situation when I asked a flight attendant for assistance with my carry-on bag due to my recent postpartum recovery. She curtly informed me that helping with baggage was outside her duties. Thankfully, a kind stranger stepped in to help. This incident raises a crucial question: Why do parents and their children often encounter scorn when boarding flights?
It’s perplexing that some individuals treat children as if they are a nuisance or an inconvenience. Let’s not forget that every adult was once a child. While children may not possess the same rights as adults—such as voting or driving—they certainly have the right to travel and share public spaces with others.
In dining establishments, one can understand the desire for a more tranquil atmosphere, especially when paying a premium for a meal. Parents are likely aware of the environment and may choose venues that better suit their child’s interests. However, airplanes are a different matter entirely; they serve as a public transport system meant for travel. Those who argue against children on planes must also imply that they should be barred from all public settings until adulthood, which is a rather extreme viewpoint.
Curiously, I sought to discover the percentage of airline travelers who are children, but I found no clear statistics. Instead, I came across articles discussing airlines considering options for separating families from other passengers. It’s astonishing that such a concept is even entertained, catering to those who have little tolerance for noise or who feel entitled to a child-free experience.
What baffles me even more is why airlines do not cater to children in a more considerate manner. With every child over the age of two needing their own ticket, they deserve the same amenities as adults. While airlines offer a range of alcoholic beverages and gourmet meals, where are the child-friendly options like mac-and-cheese or milk? If airlines are so concerned about the comfort of their adult passengers, why not also consider those who are more tolerant of children?
An etiquette survey conducted by a travel company revealed that 59% of passengers find “inattentive parenting” frustrating on flights, yet 55% are also bothered by passengers with poor hygiene, and 49% are annoyed by intoxicated or loud passengers. This highlights a double standard: it seems unfair for adults to expect children to behave perfectly while they themselves may not uphold the same standards.
If a system is implemented allowing passengers to pay for a child-free experience, how will children be assigned seating? It’s likely that families would be relegated to the back of the aircraft, raising concerns about age discrimination. A first-class experience should not come at the expense of children, who are simply part of life.
Airlines have the opportunity to foster a more inclusive environment for families. Children will naturally be children, and it’s unreasonable to expect them to exhibit adult-like behavior. Instead of criticizing a parent struggling to manage their child’s needs, perhaps we should reflect on how our own upbringing shaped our reactions to such scenarios.
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In summary, we should approach the presence of parents and children on airplanes with empathy rather than judgment. Children, like adults, have the right to travel, and airlines should accommodate all passengers, promoting a more harmonious environment.