Debate Stirs Over #ChildFreeFlights Movement

Photo by Barry Kaufman

A British journalist has stirred passions and debate after her advocacy for child-free airline flights – or, at least, special seating just for families – was brought up on NBC’s Today show this morning.

Writer Kelly-Rose Bradford said the solution to crying babies is not bring them on an airplane at all.

Bradford is a mother, albeit of a 12-year old.

"Is it really necessary to take a tiny baby on a long flight?” she said on a British talk show last week. “I think there's an element of selfishness from parents who insist on not changing their lifestyle once they have their children because there are some things that just aren't practical."

Bradford said there should be child-free flights, a hashtag that has since been used on Twitter.

"We've got business class, we've got first class, why can't we have a family section?" she asked.

Naturally, the discussion has stirred debate on social media as people have taken to Twitter arguing for both sides of the discussion.

I would be totally thrilled with airlines offering #childfreeflights for a price or creating "family sections" on flights! Thoughts?

— Morgan (@itsMissMORGAN) August 13, 2015

Another Twitter user took it a step forward.

#ChildFreeFlights would be so Ideal! Nothing worse than a screaming and noisy child! #ChildFreeZones in General too! Especially Restaurants

— krystina tinker (@KrystinaMallory) August 13, 2015

But in general, most people were against the idea.

#ChildFreeFlights seriously? have we run out of people to segregate?

— Robyn Wright (@Robyn929) August 13, 2015

And this:

Disappointed at the ridiculous concept of #childfreeflights - I guess all of you were never kids and never got upset from time to time?

— Amanda Hood (@mrsamandahood) August 13, 2015

And this:

#childfreeflights I understand but at the same time I've had more problems with inconsiderate adults than babies who's ears hurt.

— REE (@rachelee06) August 13, 2015

A Today Show poll with more than 7,000 respondents found that 76 percent were against child-free flights.

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