It's official, the child haters of the world are out of control. It's bad enough that we have to deal with their piercing glares and heavy sighs on airplanes, and their huffs and puffs in line at the grocery store, but now they don't even want to see our children outside doing what kids do -- playing!
The homeowners association of Persimmon Place in Edgewater, Florida, wants to flat out ban children from playing outside. The proposal, to be voted on April 27, specifically calls for a ban on "tag, skateboarding, Big Wheels, and loud or obnoxious toys" on "common property." There will be a $100 fine assessed for each violation.
The more I read about this case, the more insanely angry it makes me. The reasoning of those in favor the ban is ridiculous.
HOA board member Kim Scott told WKMG:
They came in and rented (a home) in a community that does not have a playground and is not conducive to children. Then they expect the children to play in the driveways and parking lot. You wouldn't see them playing in the parking lot at Walmart or Kmart, but they come here and turn the children loose.
Only they don't LIVE at Walmart or Kmart. And who said a community has to have a playground in order for one to live there with children? I've never lived in a community with a playground, and I've both been a child and have children. Just because it's a community of townhouses doesn't mean kids should be cooped up inside devoid of fresh air and exercise. Talk about discrimination.
If they are doing damage on someone's personal property or getting in the way of cars, that's one thing to deal with on a case-by-case basis. But if it's just annoying to hear the sounds of children's voices outside then ... get over it!
The proposal also would require "minor" children to be supervised by an adult at all times. While toddlers certainly shouldn't be let loose, are moms really supposed to tag along with their 16-year-olds? That's not going to work for either party involved.
I can't imagine this proposal passing, and if it does, I can't imagine there's not a discrimination lawsuit in there somewhere. As for the people pushing the ban: There are adult-only communities out there, and if you are that bothered by children, go live in one and don't bother the rest of the world with your crabby, cranky behavior.
Do you think children should ever be banned from playing outside?
Image via John-Morgan/Flickr
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Comments 19
This is ridiculous and I can't imagine it passing! We live in on a cul de sac in a very family friendly subdivision. There are six houses on the cul de sac and all but one have at least 2 children. The one house is our next door neighbor, a young couple with no kids and a musician lifestyle. They are constantly complaining about the "noise" from the kids on the block! I try to be considerate of everyone around us but really the kids don't make anymore noise than their loud truck engines and "jam sessions". If they want peace and quiet at 10 am on a gorgeous Saturday morning, they need to move to the country...
I totally agree with the article.Just because there is no playground in the community doesn't automatically put it off limits to those with children.However, there are plenty of communities that are specifically for adults and no children allowed and if you have that much of a problem hearing children play then I suggest you move to one of those communities.I certainly am not going to keep my kids cooped inside just because you are unwilling to unclench your butt cheeks.
Wow plenty of the places around here don't have playgrounds and they still have kids playing. Even when they do havea playground it is not where the kids are limited to playing. We have a playground in the middle of my neighboorhood, one block down. Sure the kids play there but they play everywhere. It's kinda hard to ride a bike, scooter or trike in a playground. Not to mention tag and just hanging out happen best spontaniously wherever the kids happen to be. That's usually by one of their houses. Banning kids from playing is simply a form of age discrimination. This smells of being annoyed with having kids in a townhome community that some assumed were suppose to be child free because it didn't offer a freaking playground in the layout. If it's for safety then adults should also be banned from jogging, biking, congregating and talking or having cookouts in the driveways and parking areas.
I thought the point behind these communities were so people could specify who/what/when/where/why/how. If the community votes for it then that's the way the community wants it. However, this is something that should have been decided before a family with children moved in.
well then they should have made it an adult community from the beginning
This is ridiculous. However, I can understand where it's (most likely) coming from. Ever been to a store, or around your own neighborhood, and seen the kids who are obviously completely out of control? I think in our rush to defend our kids' rights to play outside and to be kids, we are forgetting that a great many "parents" out there prefer to let everyone else parent their children.
That's the only reason I can fathom for why they'd want a ban on all kids' related activities. There's probably more than a few problem children who are giving the rest a bad rap.
Makes me want to go to this neighborhood (while leaving my kid home with his grandmother) and using a bullhorn, just to make some noise. It would be okay...because I'm not a child, HA!