France's SNCF has unveiled its new "Optimum" carriage, designed to be a child-free zone on trains, where adults can conduct business without interruptions from screaming kids or sticky fingers. But Emma Beddington isn't buying it.
Beddington argues that such a policy is misguided and reflects our increasing intolerance towards children. She recalls a recent experience on a train where she successfully communicated "use headphones" to an Italian teenager despite not sharing a common language, highlighting the importance of coexistence in public spaces.
The SNCF's decision has sparked widespread outrage, with critics calling it "shocking." France has been at the forefront of pushing back against adult-only spaces, and Beddington wonders why the company would promote such a policy. Instead, she suggests that we should be cherishing children, who will be crucial in our society as birthrates decline.
Beddington points to the growing trend of excluding teenagers from public spaces, with shopping malls, amusement parks, and cities introducing curfews or requiring adult supervision for minors. She argues that this kind of exclusion is not only unfair but also reflects our own inability to tolerate noise, chaos, and youthful energy.
Beddington's counterpoint is that inconvenience is the price of community. By allowing children in public spaces, we create opportunities for interaction and connection with others. We should be embracing the sounds, sights, and energies of childhood, rather than trying to silence or exclude them.
In a world where parents often apologetically hand out earplugs and sweets to fellow travelers, Beddington sees a need to redefine our relationship with children and public spaces. By doing so, we can create more vibrant, inclusive communities that value the contributions of all members – not just adults.
Beddington argues that such a policy is misguided and reflects our increasing intolerance towards children. She recalls a recent experience on a train where she successfully communicated "use headphones" to an Italian teenager despite not sharing a common language, highlighting the importance of coexistence in public spaces.
The SNCF's decision has sparked widespread outrage, with critics calling it "shocking." France has been at the forefront of pushing back against adult-only spaces, and Beddington wonders why the company would promote such a policy. Instead, she suggests that we should be cherishing children, who will be crucial in our society as birthrates decline.
Beddington points to the growing trend of excluding teenagers from public spaces, with shopping malls, amusement parks, and cities introducing curfews or requiring adult supervision for minors. She argues that this kind of exclusion is not only unfair but also reflects our own inability to tolerate noise, chaos, and youthful energy.
Beddington's counterpoint is that inconvenience is the price of community. By allowing children in public spaces, we create opportunities for interaction and connection with others. We should be embracing the sounds, sights, and energies of childhood, rather than trying to silence or exclude them.
In a world where parents often apologetically hand out earplugs and sweets to fellow travelers, Beddington sees a need to redefine our relationship with children and public spaces. By doing so, we can create more vibrant, inclusive communities that value the contributions of all members – not just adults.
. I mean, think about it, if every train carriage becomes a kid-free zone, what's next? Airplanes? Buses? We can't have both quiet, productive spaces for grown-ups AND noisy, energetic environments where kids can run around and be themselves.
. It's not about being intolerant towards kids; it's about coexisting with people of all ages in the same spaces. We can't always cater to everyone's preferences, but finding common ground is key.
Like, what's wrong with a little noise and chaos on the train? It's just part of life, right? I mean, Beddington's story about that Italian teenager is so relatable - we've all been in those situations where language barriers aren't an issue, but common sense is. And she's right, why are we trying to exclude kids from public spaces like it's going out of style? 
We should be embracing the energy and curiosity of childhood, not trying to stifle it.
It's all about finding that balance between inconvenience and inclusivity - and I think Beddington's on to something with her "inconvenience is the price of community" vibe 
. I mean, what about when you're on a train and a kid gets sick? You gotta be all like "oh no, my headphones" 
. Beddington makes some valid points though - we're already excluding teens from so many spaces, it's getting weird. Why can't we just chill (pun intended) and let kids enjoy public spaces too? 
And another thing, who's to say these "child-free zones" won't just become annoyingly quiet, boring spaces for adults? 
, I mean why should they be forced out of a public space just 'cause some ppl get annoyed? Beddington makes a valid point about how we're getting too intolerant towards kids and teens...like that story where she talked to an italian teenager in a foreign country without speaking their language? 
... like did you know that 71% of parents think it's okay for their kids to be loud on planes? 
. and btw, have you seen the rise of 'sensory-friendly' spaces in malls and cities? 
. Emma Beddington makes some valid points though - we shouldn't be afraid of noise and chaos, that's what makes life interesting 
. And let's not forget, kids are gonna be a smaller part of our society soon, so we should be embracing them instead of excluding them 
. I think it's time to rethink this whole "child-free zones" thing and just chill with the noise, you know? 
trains are gonna be super boring now 
come on, who's next gonna ban teenagers from eating at McDonald's or something? 
beddington's got a point tho, we need to chill out about kids being loud and sticky. i mean, they're humans too! 
it works just fine! let's focus on coexisting instead of excluding them from everything. 
SNCF's new Optimum carriage thingy... I mean, what's next? Adults-only restaurants? 
Plus, what's wrong w/ a little earplugging or a lollipop for someone who's being too loud? 
I don't get why people are so against kids in public spaces... it's just so... 2025 
I totally get where Emma Beddington is coming from - it's not about tolerating screaming kids or sticky fingers, but about creating a culture where we accept and appreciate all ages in public spaces 
. We should be teaching people to mind their noise levels and respect others' personal space, rather than shooing away an entire generation 
. Who needs headphones when you can have the sound of laughter and excitement? And let's not forget, kids are gonna be the future workforce, innovators, and leaders! We shouldn't be pushing them away just because they're a little loud 
. But honestly, I think Emma has a point - by embracing the energy of childhood, we might just create some really cool and inclusive spaces that everyone benefits from 
.