No kid zones are places, particularly in South Korea, that prohibit children from being on the premises. No kid zones may be enforced by public venues and private businesses.[1]
South Korea
editAccording to the Jeju Research Institute, there are 542 no kid zones.[2] A service offered by Google Maps depicts 451 such zones.[3] Jeju Island, a well-known tourist destination, has the highest amount of these areas.[4] These businesses are not limited to those intended to only serve adult costumers such as bars; no kid zones are frequently coffeehouses and restaurants.[5] The National Library of Korea is a no kid zone and prevents children under the age of 16 from entering unless special permission is granted.[6] Areas prohibited to children may be marked with signage or by staff telling parents that children cannot be present on the premises.[5]
South Korea has a low fertility rate and a greying population.[7] In a survey of 1,000 South Korean adults, 61.9% supported the implementation of no kid zones. Some businesses may prohibit children on the risk of legal liability in the event of an injury; while others do so to avoid disturbing adult patrons through the presence of children. A 2017 decision by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea ruled that no kid zones were discriminatory, but this did not legally restrict them from existing.[3] Other businesses may restrict customers of other ages such as teenagers or seniors. No kid zones have been criticized for preventing women from participating in the public sphere.[7] In May 2023, Jeju Island proposed an ordinance that would prohibit businesses from enacting no kid zones.[8] Yong Hye-in, a member of South Korea's National Assembly, advocates against no kid zones.[9] John Wall believes that businesses should prohibit disruptive behavior instead of children.[10]
Elsewhere
editSome sections on airplanes may be prohibited to children under the age of 16. Tickets for these adult-only zones are more expensive.[11] Corendon, a Turkish airline that offers such seating on certain flights, places families with children at the back of the plane.[12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "South Korean lawmaker's call to abolish 'no-kids zones' sparks controversy". The Straits Times. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ Mesmer, Phillip. "South Korea's 'no-kids zones' flourish in cafés and restaurants". Le Monde. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ a b Min-kyung, Jung. "Inside the debate on 'no-kids zones'". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ "South Korean lawmaker wants 'no kids' zones banned despite public support for them". AsiaNews. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ a b Oaten, James; Lee, Sookyoung. "In South Korea, child-free zones are increasingly popular, but parents say it's holding back the next generation". ABC News. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ Yu-Young, Jin. "South Korea Wants More Babies, Just Not in These Places". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ a b Lau, Chris; Kwon, Jake; Kim, Nayoon. "In country with world's lowest fertility rate, doubts creep in about wisdom of 'no-kids zones'". CNN. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ "Jeju Island wants to ban 'child-free' businesses. South Koreans have mixed feelings". South China Morning Post. The Korea Times. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ Lee, Claire. "Lawmaker on crusade against South Korea's 'no-kid zones'". The Japan Times. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ Abes, Kelsey; Jeong, Andrew. "Is it discrimination if you can't bring your kids to a restaurant?". The Washington Post. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ Barghiel, Naomi. "European airline introduces kid-free zone on flights. Is Canada next?". Global News. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ Ayoola, Elizabeth. "Are Kid-Free Zones On Planes A Good Idea Or Unfair To Parents?". Essence. Retrieved 13 July 2024.