Kids and men on planes.

[idb]

Which comment? I don't quite understand how you inferred from anything I wrote that I am suggesting that molesters should not be stopped. My point was that there is a type of double standard here. The same middle-aged white male who today is insulted by being asked to move may tomorrow be a concerned father sending his child off unaccompanied. If the airline staff were to ask him whether he is happy for his child to sit next to a strange man, or whether he would prefer them to make "more appropriate" seating arrangements, what do you think his answer would be?

That was my point earlier on about the evil nature of this sort of crap - it crawls around until everyone is infected despite themselves.

[ManDownUnder]

Which comment? I don't quite understand how you inferred from anything I wrote that I am suggesting that molesters should not be stopped. My point was that there is a type of double standard here. The same middle-aged white male who today is insulted by being asked to move may tomorrow be a concerned father sending his child off unaccompanied. If the airline staff were to ask him whether he is happy for his child to sit next to a strange man, or whether he would prefer them to make "more appropriate" seating arrangements, what do you think his answer would be?

interesting use of words though.

"more appropriate seating arrangements" presupposes those on offer are somehow inappropriate.

Let me slightly reword that same question
"If the airline staff were to ask him whether he is happy for his child to sit next to a strange woman, or whether he would prefer them to make "more appropriate" seating arrangements, what do you think his answer would be?"

Same answer I'd expect. Not because of the genders involved but the assumption there is a better seating option available - for whatever reason.

Who wouldn't want that for their kids?

Admittedly there is possibly a bias against the men rather than the woman as a neighbour - and it's that very bias that concerns me.

It's bollox, but bollox Air NZ and Quantas have enshrined in policy. Remind me why that's a good thing?

[scumdog]

Saya tingal di Jakarta tujuh bulan

Saya tudu chukup Malayu. (I think that's how it's spelt)

[scumdog]

It's not the kids they want to protect, the airlines are just worried they'll be sued by the parent of some kid who claims to have been 'molested'' by another passenger imho.

[ducatilover]

i think all this is fucken ridiculous, soon male teachers will not be allowed in primary schools and kindygardens, what the fuck? i agree that there is a percentage of sick fucks out there but they arent all men. we have a problem with hairy legged feminists in this country. why dont they go stop woman from driving? i've been hit by an insolent and fucking stupid [goo looking though] woman at a RED FUCKEN LIGHT how did she not see the bike and/or the red light? why dont i have my bike lisence taken from me? ooooh i am about to go on a plane flight and rape all the little kiddies in an extremely restricted environment. i went on a bus to taupo and sat next to a little german girl on the way there. people were looking at me weird, well there were no other fucken seats left, do they expect me to sit on my thumb? i didnt rape the little girl and i didnt molest her...though i asked if there was any problem about me sitting next to a little girl "no, no i was just thinking..." so i had to say it "thought i sa smoke coming out of yer ears" then silly middle aged man turned and faced the front.....maybe he wanted to rape he and was jealous? PATHETIC

[kerryg]

Just read the first few of the posts and couldn't be arsed reading them all so pardon me if I've got it wrong but there seems to be a real outpouring of annoyance over this. And ot risk of being the one dissenting voice, is it really that much of a deal? Who would you rather have your kid seated beside on a long flight..a woman or a man? On long flights people are asleep, there is darkness, alcohol may have been consumed. I know who I'd prefer. OK I would HATE to be asked to move, with the implication it contains but I would have thought that with a bit of common-sense when allocating seats it never needs to arise.

[James Deuce]

kerry, Origin Pacific probably have the same policy but they were clever enough to respond to the issue when asked by stating that they seat unaccompanied children next to or behind a flight attendant. That's a common sense response.

We're talking about domestic flights, not overseas longhaul flights in this particular case raise with the Human Rights Commission. Yes it is a big deal. The Commissioner for Children obviously feels that keeping men and children separated on public transport will enhance the safety of children. Think about the implications of that attitude.

[idb]

What about the women on the flight that are expected to act as a free baby-sitting service?

[ManDownUnder]

The Commissioner for Children obviously feels that keeping men and children separated on public transport will enhance the safety of children. Think about the implications of that attitude.

It's a good point - why did Rosa Parkes just come to mind?

[idb]

When I think about it, it makes me feel big and powerful.
I can walk down the street knowing that 52% of the adult population and all children are terrified of me!!!!!!!
Maybe us white middle-class males should form a gang and wear big patches.
Yeah!!!!

[Brett]

Yeah this one in particular pissed me off the most. Why can't a guy just genuinely care for a childs safety? If i was out walking or whatever and saw a kid fall and get hurt, i would want to help them and see that they are ok, but we can't do that anymore, cause you are likely to get done for attempted child abuse or some shit.

No wonder so many kids are becoming problems, decent males are no longer able to get onside and teach them a thing or two...that is after all a good fathers job isnt it???

But what do we do about it...really...just get used to it because these liberal ass holes are getting more and more hold in society.

[ManDownUnder]

Here's a fun game....complete the following sentence.

On a plane, children are better off sitting next to women than men because...

[MikeL]

.. of statistics.

[ManDownUnder]

No wonder so many kids are becoming problems, decent males are no longer able to get onside and teach them a thing or two...that is after all a good fathers job isnt it???

I'd take that a step further - it's the job of men in society, not just a father. Some of you guys out there will be able to teach my kids about stuff I can't/don't do or enjoy.

FROSTY and racing
Big Dave and Photography
BJ with Graphic Design
Postie with... letters or something...
etc etc etc

And likewise the women.
Mad Duck taught my little boy more about caring for others than she'll ever know (I hope she's reading this).

Kids grow up in a society, and they need to be a part of that society to develop and learn. "Protecting them" from part of it is just BS. Doing "just this once" is BS

aaaargh *off to cool down over a coffee*

[kerryg]

Here's the last paragraph from today's editorial on the Herald:

"All in all, the 2 airlines have what amounts to a reasonable risk management strategy-as grating and unfair as it is to men. This recognises the devious, well organised or opportunistic nature of abuse. It also provides the maximum protection for children. There will be no complaint from the parents who trust their sons and daughters to the care of those airlines."

I find that reasoning pretty hard to fault in all honesty