61% "Discomfort Experience in Public Places Due to Children"
While there is a strong perception that parents bear the greatest responsibility for children's safety issues in public places, a high proportion of people also agree on the necessity of No Kids Zones.
According to a survey conducted on the 26th by Embrain Trend Monitor, a market research specialist company, targeting 1,000 adults aged 19 to 59 nationwide, 6 out of 10 respondents (61.6%) reported having experienced discomfort due to children under the age of 13 in public places.
The places where discomfort was most frequently experienced were restaurants (72.2%, multiple responses allowed), followed by cafes (48.4%), public transportation (45.3%), and large supermarkets (32.5%).
When asked about the need for some level of regulation when experiencing discomfort caused by children, 75.8% responded affirmatively. However, a considerable number (59.8%) also expressed understanding, acknowledging that everyone was once a child.
Contrary to the tolerant attitude toward children, 70.3% believed that the greatest responsibility for discomfort caused by children in public places lies with parents who fail to control them.
Accordingly, there was a strong perception that guardians should continuously pay attention to children in public places (97.5%) and have an active responsibility to care for them (94.7%).
Respondents with Children: "We Want to Spend Time Comfortably in Places That Are Not No Kids Zones"
A 'Seoul Kids OK Zone' sign posted in front of a cafe near Euljiro 3-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Regarding safety accidents involving children in public places, along with opinions supporting some level of regulation, 6 out of 10 people (61.9%) expressed support for the establishment of No Kids Zones in public places. This support was particularly notable among younger age groups (20s at 68.4%, 30s at 71.6%) and respondents without children (unmarried 67.9%, married without children 70.4%).
The main reason cited for supporting No Kids Zones was that "many parents do not properly control their children" (69.0%). Other reasons included "customers have the right not to be inconvenienced or harmed" (67.5%) and "noise caused by children can disturb others" (61.1%).
Notably, even among married respondents with children, a majority (53.6%) supported No Kids Zones.
Embrain explained, "Since there are many situations where people feel pressured because of children in public places, it seems that there is a desire to clearly define No Kids Zones and to find spaces that are not No Kids Zones where they can spend time comfortably."
In fact, 31.1% of respondents with children under the age of 13 reported having experienced being given the cold shoulder by people around them or staff when accompanying young children in public places.
"We Should Not Generalize Based on the Behavior of Some Children and Parents"
On the other hand, 24.0% opposed No Kids Zones, citing reasons such as "children and parents also have the right to visit the stores they want" (57.5%) and "excluding children through No Kids Zones itself can be a form of social discrimination" (57.5%).
Embrain stated, "There is significant concern that the rights of parents and children could be deprived and that social discrimination could be promoted. Especially among married respondents with children, there was strong opposition to generalizing the behavior of some children and parents to the entire group of children or restricting access for all children because of a few problematic children and parents."
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