Should children be allowed in Restaurants?

I live not too far from Chicago, and there are restaurants there that have a "No children" policy. I have 3 kids of my own ranging in ages 2-12 years. I have no problems with establishments choosing to be "child free". Kids aren't allowed in bars, so what's the difference? The business is only catering to a specific clientele. I know when we go to a nicer restaurant I find a sitter for at least my two younger ones. My oldest is old enough to go and not be a disruption to the people around us. Nothing irritates me more than when my hubby takes me to a nice dinner to escape our kids and I have to deal with someone elses kids misbehaving. Kids are people too, and don't get me wrong I love kids, however, this is why they invented Chuck E. Cheese.

I strongly disagree with your friend. I think you're right, children are people. There is no God-given (or any inherent) right for a person to enjoy a person-free environment. If we give a right to enjoy children free environment, how long before somebody asks for an asian-free environment, or african-american-free environment? Sure there are places where children should not be allowed, bars for example. But restaurants? If he/she wants a fancy dinner with no interruptions/no distractions, then either he hires a chef, make his home fancy and eat at home, or reserve the whole restaurant. If he/she doesn't have enough money, well tough, slog it out like the rest of us normal people.

I think that it would be okay to have some high scale resturants to have age requirements like 8 and above to help with the ambiance of the place. I have young kids and I know how hard it is for them to sit and do nothing in nice places. It isnt fair to the kids either to expect them to act like adults.

Well, saying they are "banned" seems a bit harsh. I don't think its unreasonable for people without kids to be able to have a place to go eat that doesn't have screaming kids in it. I have 3 kids and I love kids, so its not like i'm against kids. There are probably even some parents that when on a "date night" away from their own kids, probably don't want to deal with anyone elses kids either.

I Disagree with it. What do we mean by a 'child-free' environment?Truly speaking environments are made by children. However,yeah there are couple of restaurents where kids are not allowed or may I say 'banned'.However reports say that the owners of such restaurents doesn't make much profit for a peaceful living.

I think the "child-free" movement is coming because so many parents REFUSE to discipline their children, and instead say, "No, Billy." "No, Billy" Don't do that, Billy." "Billy, cut it out." While little Billy runs all over the place screaming, throwing his food, and generally making dining unpleasant for everyone. Daddy should take little Billy outside the very first time he acts up and whup his little butt, and I bet little Billy would behave himself just fine. That's what we did... and both of our kids behaved themselves just fine in restaurants.

I plan to have children, and I really like children, but I don't think all places are appropriate for children. I also feel that people should be able to go to a nice restaurant and enjoy a quiet meal, and since restaurants cannot control children, I think it could be fair that there be restaurants that do not allow children. Kids are people too, but they are supposed to be learning appropriate behavior, and their learning does not need to interfere with other people's enjoyment of their meal. It really does depend on the location: if I walk into a family restaurant, where there is a children's menu, I expect that the environment will be louder and perhaps disruptive. If I walk into a formal restaurant, I expect a quiet, romantic evening. I wouldn't say that it's a right to enjoy a child free environment, but it's definitely not a child's right to disrupt others' meals.

Yes children are people too. I think maybe it would be nice if in every city there could be at least one restaurant where children are banned. I know it sounds a little much, but when you think about it, a couple should be able to go out to a romantic dinner together without having to listen to a child whining at the table next to them. If people don't like that the restaurant doesn't allow children, then they don't have to go there.

Yes, of course, how are children to learn to be adult if excluded from every aspect of the adult world, having said that it a restaurant owner should be free to offer a child free restaurant if he so wishes. all the best urban

I also think your friend is nuts. I do think it'd be nice if some ADULTS were banned from restaurants, but that's just based on their behavior. Kids act like little hellions when their parents allow them to do that. I don't let my son act like that, and he doesn't. We took DS to a really fancy ($100+) restaurant when he was about 15 months old, and he did wonderfully. Kept his voice down, used his fork mostly, didn't play with his food, etc. I know people with teens who I wouldn't want to see there because of their behavior.

of course, children are human too so why would they ban them in any place. besides children will go to a restaurant with a companion (parents, guardian) so for sure somebody will pay for their foods so there's no reason to ban them.

I would not patronize a restaurant where children were not allowed, babykay. You are right about children being people too. It is the parents responsibility to make sure that their children know how to behave properly in such an environment. It would be perfectly understandable if children were misbehaving that the management could speak to the parents and ask them to control their kids, but not outright ban them.

Exactly, kids are people too and they also must get to know the outside environment. Simply banning them from entering into restaurants and making the adults enjoy is not fair on their part. Children should get to know about the life outside, they must see things to learn, and they must feel things to know what is right and what is not.

Kids ARE people, too...but I tend to agree with your friend. Sometimes adults want to be able to go out to dinner and not be disturbed by children...even parents like that opportunity at times. If I want to go out to a romantic dinner with my husband, I don't want a bunch of children making noise, or running around the room, or whatever. Not all kids behave that way, but how do you say "Your child is welcome if well-behaved, but otherwise, keep them home"?

I seriously disagree with your friend...As much as some parents cant or don't seem to keep their kids in line when out in public and that can be VERY annoying (when the child is loud and unruley I mean) I think that having "child free" restaurants is a terrible idea...My kids are VERY well behaved when we go out and if I want to go to dinner with my children i should be able to....If it bothers him that much maybe he should stay home and do delivery :-/

i think children should be allowed in the restaurents as well. They are people too. And above all if you don't want children with you, then leave them with someone at home. Why hotels should bann children?

Well Im glad he dont get to make rules in life lol I see his point but tough I dont like going to restraunts where staff is loud and cursing and my children can hear (this happended b4)and when I dont want to cook I prefer to tak them to restraunts not fast food .

Well I"m a bit like you.. not sure of where I stand on this one. Or maybe not, now that I think about it. I love children, a lot. However I think your friend might be onto something there. As wonderful as kids can be, not all are. Some can actually be very disruptive in a restaurant environment. not only for the family sitting with them but for everyone around in the next 20 tables or so. There should be some restaurants only for adults. WHere adults know that the only childish behaviour that they might encounter is the one of people their own age. ( and I can't guarantee that there won't be screaming, arguing, sucking up, tantrums, even running around in the restaurant - but that's another story LOL ). NO, really I do think that there should be a choice. Yes, kids are people, but people that are still learning their social skills - come to think of it some adults still are, but again that's another story :) People should be able to choose a childless restaurant environment if they so wish. There would still be plenty of restaurants to go around accepting kids. Or maybe big chains would start opening both family and adult( as in no children that's all ) restaurants or even have the same restaurant with two different areas of something. So in the end... yes, your friend has a good point. ANd I agree with him, even it that will make me walk half a block down to the next family restaurant.

tell him to go to a bar/grille a bar where food is served. there he can go be around adults only and be child free. they serve pretty good food in most places too. I disagree about some restaraunts banning children thats crazy!

I don't think your friend is right.Including all kinds of children, anyone who like to go to restaurant has his/her right,and we should allow other person to choose what to do and where to do it.Of course,when a child is planning to go to a restaurant,we adults should give him/her more suggestions.