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RSS FeedDesignated parking for pregnant women: Excessive or equality?
Results so far:
| Equality | 57% | 152 votes | Total: 266 votes | |
| Excessive | 43% | 114 votes |
Equality
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Add to FavoritesAs a woman in my final weeks of pregnancy in the stifling Texas summer heat, I support designated parking spaces for pregnant women. However, I do feel that drivers pregnant women included should use their discretion when parking in these designated spots, just as all drivers should adhere to the law when it comes to handicapped parking.
Over the course of my pregnancy, I have made many trips to the local baby superstore, which has around four to six parking spaces for expectant mothers. In the early to middle days of my pregnancy, when my energy and mobility levels were close to normal, I did not park in those spots out of respect for those who may have been in their last trimester, or those possibly dealing with complications that made walking difficult.
As the mercury began to rise and my belly began to expand, I began to seek out these spots. If there was none available and I was forced to walk a greater distance, only to see someone who was clearly more mobile than me or worse, someone who was not noticeably pregnant getting into her car parked in one of the designated spots, I would simply shake my head in disgust, knowing there was nothing I could do about it.
If a retailer chooses to designate parking spots for expectant mothers, I think it shows a certain level of respect, gratitude, understanding and common courtesy for those women who are experiencing an important, life-changing event. That does not mean I think any less of retailers who do not offer them, but now that I have experienced what it is like to be pregnant, I do tend to have a more favorable opinion of the stores that do.
I have spoken to other pregnant women about the issue, and the consensus is the same: the parking spots are definitely appreciated but not necessarily expected. Like a random act of kindness performed by a total stranger, seeing these spots make pregnant women feel good. And everybody knows a pregnant woman who feels good is a happy woman!
I think the issue boils down to respect for others. If you feel you really need the preferential treatment of up-close parking, by all means, take advantage of the opportunity. If you think someone else could probably benefit more than you, be considerate and park in another spot.
For retailers, just think about the public relations opportunity you can create by offering these special parking spaces. Pregnant women are an influential group of consumers with an impressive amount of buying power, so it pays to give this group a little added attention.
Learn more about this author, Suzanne Feinberg.
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Excessive
It is my opinion that reserved parking spaces for expectant mothers is excessive. While it seems like a favorable thought, the person who really needs parking close to the front of the store is the mom dragging a seven year old, a toddler and newborn in a stroller across a busy parking lot. Now that's a rough situation!
And how pregnant is pregnant? I didn't start showing until about four months into my pregnancy. There are no restrictive rules regarding these "courtesy" parking signs, and dare I say, not everyone is courteous. While the spots are meant for "very" pregnant women, there are lots of people who would take advantage of the situation in a crowded parking lot. If I had parked at one of these spots early in my pregnancy, would someone stand by my car and wait to chastise me? I've seen it happen at handicapped parking spots - and rightfully so. Legally, people with handicapped parking permits have the right to park in these reserved spots. People who use those spaces without permission should face consequences.
I've seen these signs at Babies 'R Us - a good of place as any for some expectant mom privileges. My large home furnishings store also has one and they don't even sell cribs or kids' furniture. Our local IKEA has a small section dedicated to "family-friendly" parking, where the parent and kids do not have to cross a street or intersection to go inside.
I'm sure there are plenty of pregnant women who cannot walk very far. In that case, the woman should go to her doctor, request a note and take it to the governmental body in her state that issues handicapped parking permits.
It's always appreciated to offer a little help to a very expectant mother. As a former city gal, I will ever be grateful to the kind woman who gave me her seat on a crowded commuter train after a long day at work. I was thankful the young grocery bagger who offered to take my cart of groceries to the car (in a regular spot). And those stores with spots for expectant moms may even get a little free publicity for it. With my luck, even if there was an expectant mom's parking spot, I would never be the first to get it - frustrating me even more!
Yes, it is tough to get out of the car when you are pregnant. Yes, your ankles may be as big as grapefruits. And yes, you're probably not wearing your favorite outfit and shoes. But it has been part of life for thousands of years - even before there were cars. So until parking spaces for pregnant women are legally required, these types of parking spots may produce goodwill to some, but in my mind are excessive.
Learn more about this author, Midwest Mom.
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