discrimination in playrooms
By se7enthbird
@se7enthbird (8307)
Philippines
February 27, 2011 6:26pm CST
yesterday, sunday, me and my family went out to spend time at the mall. its been three months since i were with them at the mall. everytime we were there we let our son the chance to play at the playroom at the mall. they have a lot of toys there and my son would have to have a chance to interact with kids like him. when we arrive at the playroom a mother was very angry because her son was not admitted for his son does not speak. she was very angry that the staff there is treating her son as not equal. they dont like to admit the child for he does not speak and they will not understand him if he wants something. for me this is not fair, i pity for the mother and for the child. the child just wants to play then why not let him in. this is very painful.
2 people like this
6 responses
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
28 Feb 11
Awwh that indeed is quite sad, as it will be unfortunate as an adult later for him but as a child that is quite unfair. I am sure that the child had been taught ways on how to communicate when and if he wants something and the mother could have guided too.
So for not admitting him, I say shame on them. As it was not like the mother was looking for child care simply a place for the child to enjoy a few minutes and or an hour perhaps. This is one of the major issues with unfairness to the handicapped as it will teach the son that the world is unfair in the wrong areas.
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
28 Feb 11
i am sure the mother wont let her child there if she did not train her child. the kid looks like a good kid, and i guess he is only speech delay for i heard him say mama. the child wanted to play atleast they have tried it first, of just told the mother not to leave and keep an eye on her child. that would be better than just telling that they can not let the child play. it is sad true... and shame on them. thanks a lot for the response.
@rosegardens (3032)
• United States
28 Feb 11
It is understandable you are upset over this. It seems so unjust and unfair. However, if something were to happen and the child could not tell the staff what is wrong, it can be much worse. If something were to happen to the child, the store would be liable for any injury. We live in such a society of greed, so many lawsuits, the staff can not risk that. If something happened to the child and he could not communicate, how would the staff know he is hurt? He cannot shout, cannot audibly cry, so those who are not close with this child could not know if something is wrong. That would be unfair to the child.
Ah, but to live in simpler times, without lawsuits, high insurance rates and where children would play without fear.
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
28 Feb 11
i am upset because what if, that is my child and he wants to play? they will not let him just because he can dont know how to talk? lets not talk about lawsuit here lets talk about giving the child the chance to experience it. why not just tell the parent not to leave and keep an eye of her child... after all the mom wants her child to play. there are things they can do just to let the child play and experience to be with other kids than thinking about law suits. thanks a lot for the response.
@staria (2780)
• Philippines
28 Feb 11
I have to agree w/ rosegardens, the staff will be liable for any injury/accident so maybe they are just taking extra precautions. Or we have to understand too that this may be their SOP and they just need to implement it. As your feeling is understandable, I am a mom too and I know the feeling. But sometimes rules/things are there for everybody's benefit.
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
28 Feb 11
It would be nice for this child to get to play, whether he speaks or not. Speech is not the only form of communication. I hope he gets other opportunities to play with other childre.
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
28 Feb 11
they should atleast tried. then if it can not work out then that is the time they decide. but just saying that the child can not play is truly not fair. you are correct i agree that speech is not the only from of communication, but atleast they tried it first. playroom are for children no matter what and who are they. thanks a lot for the response.
@maximax8 (31042)
• United Kingdom
20 Mar 11
Each child should be permitted to go to the playroom even those with special educational needs. The little boy that doesn't speak would have been able to hear the other children talk.
My disabled son went just to a playgroup for disabled children and many of the children there have no speech or speech difficulties. Then last September he began going to a nursery for normal children as well. His speech really took off and now he speaks normally.
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
20 Mar 11
that is one of the good point that i wanted to see. not like the other member who was pointing about law suits and stuff like that. every child has the right to play. every child needs to be treated as equal. it was sad for me to see, i am not even the parent of that child what more if i am the parent. playing with children who can speak might push the child to speak also. how old is your son when he started speaking?
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
1 Mar 11
good point you have there jen. maybe the child is an only child and he does not have some child to interact with him back home and playing with a lot of kids might have pushed him to learn how to speak. i am really sorry for this, and see it happening right before my eyes. i know the parent was demanding to speak to the owner and i hope things was settled. thanks a lot for the response.
@inertia4 (27978)
• United States
28 Feb 11
I think that the staff at that playroom at the mall should be reprimanded or fired. That is disgusting to treat a child like that. I would start a war if that was my son or daughter. I am sure the mother was deeply hurt and like you said, the child just wants to play. The child does not understand anything but love.
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
1 Mar 11
right you are, its just simple the child just wants to play, no need to lay the rules. then let him play. let the parent look after the child, but not allowing the child to play is very hurting, not just for the mother but i am sure for the child as well. they should have atleast tried. thanks a lot for the response.
