Woman advocates for child-free suburbs so adults can be by themselves, sparks debate

It can get quite disturbing for people when children start crying in public places like airports or restaurants. However, other than the parents trying to calm them down, there isn’t much that can be done about the situation. And people around are usually understanding about it, but some feel really troubled and need their space. @soybabie_ took to TikTok to share her experience at the swimming pool where she was disturbed by the “screaming” of children.

Soja started by saying, “I would like to know when somebody is planning on opening an adult-only suburb where everything in it is only for adults. Because I'm so sick of going places, and kids are just everywhere screaming, and I just have to put up with it.”

She then narrated what happened while she went for a swim. “They have their own pool, and they’re in the lap lane pool, not swimming laps, just jumping in and screaming, and that’s just allowed because they’re allowed everywhere,” she said. Soja concluded that people like her should have their own suburbs. “I just feel like for people like me that are evil and hate kids we should have our own suburb where we can just be quiet and undisturbed,” she said.

The video soon went viral with more than 420,000 views and 44,000 likes. Many on the platform loved her idea of having a separate suburb and shared their experiences with screaming kids. For instance, parent @Imw commented, “As a parent of two small children, I completely understand what you’re saying and respect that childfree people need space too.” @justcallme_trixie_18 commented, “It’s not kids, it’s parents who let their kids run wild and don’t monitor them. They’re like 'oh let them be kids' like no.” @justterri explained, "I agree. I hate going to a nail salon that doesn’t have a spare chair because there are kids in them," while user @travelopoly wrote, "I'm hoping with our generation and the next not having so many kids that some of this will happen naturally 😂"

Another parent @miapryan commented, “I think there need to be more kid-friendly places so that us mums can take our screaming kids there to let off some energy 😂 I need a break too.” On the other hand, some were not in her support. User @Serephina commented, “You used to be a kid mate...ya know. So, get over getting older.” 

In another story, a mom sparked a debate after her 11-year-old daughter became upset when she rejected physical affection. She wrote on Reddit, "My daughter is very small for her age and as a result gets treated like a younger child sometimes. She loves to hop in my or my husband's lap and cuddle with us on the couch or in a chair." The mother adds, "I have been thinking that she may be too old for that sort of thing and maybe I'm hurting her by letting her continue. The previous day when the daughter tried to hop in her lap and cuddle, her mother told her that she is too old for that. The mother continued, "She got really upset, got off me and went to her room, and slammed the door.

Many on the platform were not in favor of the mom's behavior. User u/imothro commented, "She's not going to want to cuddle you much longer. You maybe have a year left. And you're throwing that time away instead of cherishing it." Another person u/217EBroadwayApt4E said, "Why does she think an 11-year-old child wanting to be cuddled or hugged by a parent is inappropriate? Does she expect her child to just be touched[-]starved until she starts dating? I don’t understand the logic, and I find the whole thing alarming."