No kid zone
No kid zones are businesses, particularly in South Korea, that prohibit children from being on the premises.
South Korea
According to the Jeju Research Institute, there are 542 no kid zones.[1] A service offered by Google Maps depicts 451 such zones.[2] Jeju Island, a well-known tourist destination, has the highest amount of these areas.[3] These businesses are not limited to those intended to only serve adult costumers such as bars; no kid zones are frequently coffeehouses and restaurants. The National Library of Korea, along with other public buildings, are also no kid zones. Areas prohibited to children may be marked with signage or by staff telling parents that children cannot be present on the premises.[4]
South Korea has a low fertility rate and a greying population.[5] 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.[2] 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.[5] In May 2023, Jeju Island proposed an ordinance that would prohibit businesses from enacting no kid zones.[6] Yong Hye-in, a member of South Korea's National Assembly, advocates against no kid zones.[7] John Wall believes that businesses should prohibit disruptive behavior instead of children and that no kid zones may violate international law on age-based discrimination.[8]
See also
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.