I always feel like I’m in a rush wherever I go. At school, I’m always rushing to get to my next class. At the store, I’m always rushing to be in and out. While driving, I’m always yelling at other drivers who are slowing me down. Sound familiar to you?
Our society is always on the move. As individuals we never like to be slowed down by inconveniences. The other day, however, I experienced an inconvenience that just blew my mind.
Like many Americans, I go shopping, so last weekend I decided to go to the local mall. The mall was crowded and people were fighting for parking spaces close to the entrances so they could minimize their walks in the blistering September heat.
As I pulled up to the mall I couldn’t believe my eyes. There was a space directly in front of one of the entrances! “Is it a disabled parking space?” I wondered. Nope, no blue guy in a wheelchair sign. Thinking I was home free, I began to turn into the space when I caught sight of who the space was actually designated for — pregnant women.
What is the world coming to? Since when are pregnant women considered disabled? I can understand needing to park close if you got your legs blown off in a war, or if you are a child of thalidomide. But I don’t think having a bun in the oven qualifies anyone for special privileges.
Birth is not a miracle. There is nothing special about it. By definition, a miracle is an event that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature. Birth happens every second of every day. Something that happens so often cannot possibly be miraculous, or even special, in all honesty.
So what is the argument that proponents of “stork parking” make? According to
About.com, “pregnant women, or women with small children need the convenience of these designated spots that are often very close to the door of stores.” Apparently this privilege is also extended to women who have small children in tow; human Xerox machines, as I like to call them.
Exactly when does it become acceptable for a pregnant woman to begin parking in these spaces? After all, being four weeks pregnant is much different than being seven months pregnant. Do women with the tiniest baby bump get to enjoy “stork parking,” or is it only reserved for the gigantic ones risking their water breaking by taking a trip to Nordstrom’s to pick up underwear?
Being pregnant, having swollen feet and sweating like a pig should be a privilege in itself — nobody forced you to get pregnant.
That really is the core of the issue, in my eyes. Pregnant women chose to have a child, and accept all the joys and pains that go with it — period. Society did not have anything to do with it. Pregnancy is not a disability, it is a lifestyle choice.
Expecting progeny should not equal parking benefits. Believe it or not, pregnant women can walk just like the rest of us. Sure, it may be uncomfortable carrying all that extra weight, but now you know how Michael Moore feels. And the best part? You chose it.
I don’t hate pregnant women. I’m simply a realist. I believe equality between the sexes is an important thing in maintaining a structured and balanced society. Unless you’re Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Junior,” men cannot get pregnant. Therefore, these “stork parking” spaces erode the very essence of equal rights.
As I looked around at all the people fighting for spaces at the mall, I decided that pregnancy, being a life choice, doesn’t offer anyone special consideration. So I parked in that space and went on with my day.
Gerry Wachovsky is a graduate student and a columnist for the Daily 49er.
