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The decision by Air New
Zealand and Quantas not to seat men next to unaccompanied children is sending
an anti-male message, Massey University experts say. Massey University
Centre for Public Policy Evaluation director Stuart Birks says the airlines'
seating policies are "pointless and ridiculous". "I find it highly
offensive. As a responsible man, the idea that I might be seen as a threat is
bizarre." The policy has labelled
half the population as unsuitable, Mr Birks said. "I was a youth leader
and worked closely with kids as an adult. Now they're saying I'm not to be
trusted." Mr Birks, of Palmerston
North, says the policy is an odd idea. "What really
puzzles me is what led to them thinking it up." The policy makes as
much sense as discriminating against passengers on the grounds of race,
religious beliefs or appearance, he said. "Can they identify
a real need for this or are they just trying to identify all men as potential
dangers to children? Would they have a policy of not seating children next to
Maori passengers, or skinheads or Muslims - or only male
Maori, skinheads or Muslims?" The airlines seem to be
saying men are people to look out for, yet when he was young he was told, if
ever needing help, ask an adult. "Now they are
saying the opposite." Massey University
College of Education senior lecturer and former school principal Michael
Irwin says the policy sends a signal to children that men can't be trusted. "It's sending a
very misleading message into society that men are not caring, loving,
concerned individuals when it comes to young children. "It's saying to
society that it's not a man's role to be involved with their children or any
children, and that's ridiculous." The messages are
harmful not only to men, who could be made to feel alienated from parts of
society focused on children, such as schools, childcare centres and nursing,
but to children. |
