Oh Fuck – here we go. Before I even get started I am going to say it – I will not accept retorts to this post that say – ‘because you are a man’. This could quite possibly be deemed as sexist, but its not intended that way, so if it does come off as such, put down your feminist placard, shave your armpits (as I do) and listen with an open ear for a minute. Why do we have expectant mother parking? It just doesn’t quite make sense to me. We have handicapped parking for people with disabilities because that makes sense. You are missing a leg? Cool – we as a society have decided that you get a closer parking spot because the one leg you do have deserves a rest every once in a while. We do not have ancient, you are on your way to the grave, old people parking spots or veterans parking spots (for people who actually did something EXTREMELY meaningful for society) or really fat obese people parking spots for people who have decided that Mcdonalds and Crisco are food groups, so how do we decide it is ok to cater to pregnant women? I am not saying that pregnant women do not deserve respect or help or societal support - because you have to go through something I highly respect you for and am extremely thankful that the powers that be, gave me a penis; because the very thought of pushing a football sized figure through any hole in my body hurts my brain A LOT. So why? You didn’t do anything exceptional to get pregnant. You really are not bettering society in anyway, nor have you done anything to enhance society. Your child will probably turn out to be a spoiled little brat with a speech impediment, that bites other children at 8 year old birthday parties – so why do you get to park closer? Is exercise not good for a pregnant woman? If you are going to spend the day walking around a mall or grocery store – why the fuck can’t you walk an extra 3 parking spaces? As well, there is no limit on HOW pregnant you have to be – someone that got knocked up yesterday and can feel her lovers sperm eating its way through the exterior of her eggs should NOT get to park closer – a woman who is the size of a small barge – sure, I can accept that. But I think the only way that we can regulate this is to have someone who conducts pregnancy tests on site, at the parking space, to test the level of pregnancy – PH level over 6? Park. Under 6? Walk. Does this sound ridiculous? Expectant Mother Parking sounds ridiculous to me… Maybe I am a prick – quite possibly – maybe I should write a post on people like me who are loud and obnoxious and talk about things they will never experience as a pet peeve, but for the record, I always park my car far from the entrance door because I have perfectly functioning limbs and could use the walk. If I can take public transportation or my feet I do in order to cut down on Global Warming. Just something to think about…
Filed under: PET PEEVES | Tagged: Expectant Mother Parking, Handicapped Parking, pet peeve, Pregnant
coming from the same place as you having never been pregnant, i would have to agree with you on this one. it seems absolutely ridiculous to offer expectant mother parking spots. another example of our society’s obsession with being overly “p.c.”. brings up thoughts of the “baby on board” stickers. never quite understood that one either. like people are going to drive better because they noticed that you have a baby sticker on your car? i guess that’s the thought, but it seems dumb to me.
DIANA – I think you just gave me my next Pet Peeve – I love it….
[...] PET PEEVE – Expectant Mother Parking [...]
My answer would require a bit more time than I have at this moment… but here is a tidbit. My daughter is 7 months pregnant with her 4th baby and has 3 other children under the age of 4. She is an otherwise vibrant, energetic, healthy woman who finds Stork Parking so very convenient at this time in her life. Each time she shops, she not only has her children and her tummy, but leaves a store with multiple bags (often times with extreme breakables like eggs). She has to manage the kids, the packages, the cart… and then maneuver through a busy parking lot with speeding cars and weather conditions. The safety issue alone is worth the Stork Parking. And let’s not forget that these young families are becoming the backbone of our economy. If a convenient and safe parking spot is all she needs… well, bring it on. She will be the first one to walk from the end of the lot when she can.
Highly amusing, if only for the vitriolic ignorance expressed here.
“You’re not missing a leg!” Neither are most handicapped people. Most are simply old, and perfectly capable of walking. A great majority of handicapped people are: merely diabetic, or have back pains due to being overweight, or any number of other “handicapped” problems that probably don’t warrant closer parking. Certainly they don’t use a wheelchair or crutches when getting out of their cars, sooo…
“You really are not doing anything that betters society in any way..” Nope. Neither are the handicapped people. Nor the vast majority of ANY people you will ever meet in a parking lot for any reason whatsoever. So then, are you suggesting that a pregnant woman should justify that she is aiding society in order to park a little closer? Hmmmm… better add parking police and Social Awareness and Justification Cops to the mess.
Good manners aside, how about a little ordinary human compassion for people (obviously pregnant women) who are struggling a little more than most just in order to go about their daily business?
I would spend the rest of my living days sending out compassion for someone or other with some kind of disabling ailment. How about people not going through their lives looking for compassion – how about that? Like I said, we live in a society where everyone feels they are entitled to something over someone else, all I am saying is that do not feel that sense of entitlement and most people would give up their parking spot to a pregnant woman – myself included – but the minute you tell me that I have to because you got knocked up? Nope…. And thank you for clarifying what a handicapped person is…