The mother said the owner also remarked to her directly:

 

"I can't even believe you take him in public. You must be the only one who does!"

 

 

I'm just gonna play Devil's Advocate here and ask how do we know for sure that is what the owner really said? How do we know the mother didn't make it in order to bring bad publicity towards the owner.

I'm just gonna play Devil's Advocate here and ask how do we know for sure that is what the owner really said? How do we know the mother didn't make it in order to bring bad publicity towards the owner.

I thought of that too, but, based on the owner's other comments, I think she may have said it. Although she may not be as bad as she sounds. In a way, she reminds me of Marge Schott. She's one of these tough old ladies that doesn't care what she says or how she says it. And the mother does come off as a bit of a Cindy Sheehan type. Wow, I've never been so conflicted over a news story before! :idunno:

 

Here is the news report where these quotes came from:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfFLMdywTE0

Sounds like the mother of the autistic child is trying to turn this into something it's not.

I say good for the restaurant owner, sounds like a place I'd support.

I disagree. I view this as yet another societal assault on children and the family in Western civilization; even seemingly little things like this add up to people having less children in our culture and it's going to be a big demographic problem in the future... look at Europe now. Having spent a significant amount of time in a Muslim country (and these countries are demographically "kicking our butts" right now, by the way), I can promise you no such sign would be displayed there.

I disagree. I view this as yet another societal assault on children and the family in Western civilization; even seemingly little things like this add up to people having less children in our culture and it's going to be a big demographic problem in the future... look at Europe now. Having spent a significant amount of time in a Muslim country (and these countries are demographically "kicking our butts" right now, by the way), I can promise you no such sign would be displayed there.

Not wanting screaming kids around you when you're trying to enjoy a meal that you paid for is a societal assault on children and the family? Seriously? Sorry, I don't see it that way and I'm perplexed as to how you do.

Not wanting screaming kids around you when you're trying to enjoy a meal that you paid for is a societal assault on children and the family? Seriously? Sorry, I don't see it that way and I'm perplexed as to how you do.

About 4-5 years ago a study was published in the American Journal of Sociology. The study involved a survey of American couples who were in their mid to late 30's and had only one or no children (i.e., clearly below the amount needed to maintain even a static population count - that is, zero population growth), and the survey asked these couples to explain why they did not have more children. The answers were informative. The reasons most commonly listed were not things one would immediately guess, like the monetary expense associatd with the raising of children, the time commitment or even career-related issues. The most common reasons were mundane things, like not being able to go out and eat at restaurants (sound familiar?), not being able to spend time with friend/other couples and not being able to travel as easily/frequently as they would like. Furthermore, the surveyed couples indicated that a major reason why they felt this way was because of their prior experiences taking their one child out and feeling unwelcome, either at friends' houses or out in the community (restaurants) because of the annoying stares and comments generated from their baby becoming fussy. The couples also indicated they were told of similar issues their family members and friends had experienced when taking their young children out. In addition, these couples indicated their belief that American culture was not sufficiently family/baby-friendly in order to allow Americans to feel comfortable having multiple children, citing the American/Western "me-first" and "individual comfort" mentality placing a greater emphasis on someone being able to have a nice, quiet meal at a restaurant and a lesser emphasis on a larger family with young (noisy) children being able to go out and not incur the wrath of an annoyed public.

 

The authors concluded their article with some commentary about how American demographic "health" (i.e. being able to maintain adequate population growth without the need/help of immigration) could ultimately come down to something as seemingly insignificant as how couples with young children feel they will be treated in a restaurant.

 

I don't know about you, but I would rather rely upon maintaining America's population internally and not have to open up the immigration valve even more. Europe largely looked to Muslim North Africa and the Mediterranean when the continent took in more immigrants on account of negative internal population growth... look how that's turning out for them (I'm not a big fan of stoning to death and other pearls of sharia law, in case you were wondering!).

Edited September 13, 201016 yr by jbwill2

About 4-5 years ago a study was published in the American Journal of Sociology. The study involved a survey of American couples who were in their mid to late 30's and had only one or no children (i.e., clearly below the amount needed to maintain even a static population count - that is, zero population growth), and the survey asked these couples to explain why they did not have more children. The answers were informative. The reasons most commonly listed were not things one would immediately guess, like the monetary expense associatd with the raising of children, the time commitment or even career-related issues. The most common reasons were mundane things, like not being able to go out and eat at restaurants (sound familiar?), not being able to spend time with friend/other couples and not being able to travel as easily/frequently as they would like. Furthermore, the surveyed couples indicated that a major reason why they felt this way was because of their prior experiences taking their one child out and feeling unwelcome, either at friends' houses or out in the community (restaurants) because of the annoying stares and comments generated from their baby becoming fussy. The couples also indicated they were told of similar issues their family members and friends had experienced when taking their young children out. In addition, these couples indicated their belief that American culture was not sufficiently family/baby-friendly in order to allow Americans to feel comfortable having multiple children, citing the American/Western "me-first" and "individual comfort" mentality placing a greater emphasis on someone being able to have a nice, quiet meal at a restaurant and a lesser emphasis on a larger family with young (noisy) children being able to go out and not incur the wrath of an annoyed public.

 

The authors concluded their article with some commentary about how American demographic "health" (i.e. being able to maintain adequate population growth without the need/help of immigration) could ultimately come down to something as seemingly insignificant as how couples with young children feel they will be treated in a restaurant.

 

I don't know about you, but I would rather rely upon maintaining America's population internally and not have to open up the immigration valve even more. Europe largely looked to Muslim North Africa and the Mediterranean when the continent took in more immigrants on account of negative internal population growth... look how that's turning out for them (I'm not a big fan of stoning to death and other pearls of sharia law, in case you were wondering!).

Honestly, those mentioned in the study sound like their real problem is not knowing how to be a parent. They blame the public for their bad parenting skills instead of controlling their children the way they should. I've raised two children and often took them to restaurants and other places in public and if one or both misbehaved they were quickly removed from the area and given a very stern talking to as to why they're not to behave in such a manner.

Now, the placards posted at the restaurant in question do not say no children allowed, they say “Screaming Children Will NOT Be Tolerated". So I really don't see a problem with the policy nor do I see pointing out to poor parents that their lack of parenting skills won't be tolerated. I also don't see internal population growth dropping because of this restaurant's policy.