» Next piece in Opinion/Editorial

Find » Opinion/Editorial » Are Strollers Necessary?

Are Strollers Necessary?

It is Possible to Parent Without Relying on Plastic

By Sharon Van Gaskin, published Jan 17, 2007

Published Content: 39 Total Views: 37,567 Favorited By: 29 CPs

Contact Subscribe Add to Favorites

Embed:

Rating: 3.0 of 5

1
2
3
4
5

Font

Font

Fictional character Charlotte York on Sex and the City probably coined the term "marsupial mom" when she educated a pregnant Miranda about parenting styles and asked her whether she would be a marsupial mom or stroller mom. It's true that baby slings are gaining popularity as more modern-day moms are "going marsupial", but strollers still have an unfortunately strong presence.

Strollers are a repulsive icon of modern society. A human infant in the year 2007 can spend most of his early months being shuffled from one plastic contraption to the next. Sadly, many expectant parents consider strollers as one of the main necessities for raising a baby.

As I encounter what seems to be nearly 98% of parents relying on strollers, I am left to wonder what is so repulsive about carrying your small baby or toddler. Babies thrive on close interaction and love to be in held in close proximity to their caregivers. Propping a baby up in a plastic device on wheels and pushing it around hardly qualifies as healthy human interaction. I've had adults stare at me like I just stepped out of a remote tribal village when they fail to locate a stroller within five feet of me. "What no stroller?" is their dumbfounded response, aghast that I would actually prefer to carry my own child. It makes me wonder why people with such harsh (and lazy) attitudes ever bothered to procreate at all. Parenting certainly is easier when you only spend thirty minutes of every day holding your child.

Page: 1 2 3 Next »

More by Sharon Van Gaskin

Are Strollers Necessary?

Are Strollers Necessary?

Strollers are unnecessary 98% of the time.

Credit: www.sxc.hu

Copyright: www.sxc.hu

You may also like...

Takeaways

Strollers are a repulsive icon of modern society.
Everywhere I turn, I am overrun with strollers.
Let your child see the world from your perspective not isolated in a mobile restraining device.

Did You Know?

Many children don't enjoy being in strollers.

Comments

Comments 1 - 15 of 53

Very cool article. I agree- tons of baby products are considered mandatory purchases, but really aren't that necessary. Many three-month-old babies in America have more material possesions than whole households own in less developed countries, which is kinda sad!

Posted on 08/29/2007 at 12:08:00 PM

Sharon Van Gaskin

I just wish the mentality would change. I had culturally conditioned expectations about parenthood before becoming a parent, and none of them turned out to be true. "Babies get sick all the time"- my almost 5yo has never had an ear infection and had her first cold at 17 mths "Babies spit up all the time" My daughter rarely spit up. The list goes on, but obviously includes "Having a baby requires so much gear." I just think we as a society need to reexamine commonly held ideas about parenting and reevaluate whether they are actually working or are even necessary.

Posted on 05/06/2007 at 9:05:00 PM

Sharon Van Gaskin

Yes, I admit the article is extreme in parts. I still do think a lot of parents use strollers excessively for poor reasons. Ultimately, as I said in some earlier comments, parents can parent however they please, and that is really what prompted my article. My NOT using a stroller shouldn't be a basis for comments or criticisms. Most people do think slings are cute, so a stranger at the mall doesn't realize I wore a sling all the time. But for parents who I interact with on a more regular basis, I think the negativity to babywearing isn't justified.

Posted on 05/06/2007 at 9:05:00 PM

You made some good points, but your article did seem a little extreme to me. You didn't seem to consider WHY some people are using their strollers. And you assumed that all babies hate strollers. I use a stroller often with my son. He loves it. We go on outdoor walks and we take the dogs. I couldn't hold his hand (he's 14 months) and the dogs' leashes at the same time. I have a bad back and am not supposed to carry more than 15 lbs (my son weighs almost 26). Carrying him for long isn't an option for me. My husband does carry him a lot. And I HOLD him a lot in my lap. I play with him more than a lot of parents I know that carry their kids all the time. The stroller is still a very important part of our routine. And he still has plenty of time when he isn't strapped in something. The only other plastic thing he is commonly strapped in is his high chair. And that's only while he eats, though I guess that is several times a day!

Posted on 04/18/2007 at 5:04:00 PM

Very interesting article, since I cherish every moment with my 17 month old, I love holding her and rarely use my stroller But on extended trips it can be a lifesaver.

Posted on 04/05/2007 at 4:04:00 PM

Strollers can be useful but you are right that they can also be overdone.

Posted on 04/03/2007 at 4:04:00 PM

great article! thank you for commenting on my piece about being single. I have a lot of single friends that love being single i on the other hand love my fiance lol good luck on future articles have a great day and be safe!

Posted on 04/03/2007 at 9:04:00 AM

Sharon Van Gaskin

L Sheperd- Ultimately, other than summing up my thoughts in an article like this, I'm actually one of those parents that doesn't interfere. That means if I see a child standing up in their grocery cart near me, I might hang out for a minute until the mom comes back to the cart, but I never say anything. I've seen other adults be much more vocal and confrontational with parents. In this case, it could be warranted when the child's safety is at risk, but admittedly, I don't involve myself as I feel my primary responsibility is to my own child. Plus, it might be hard to believe, I really don't want to criticize another parent.

Posted on 04/02/2007 at 8:04:00 AM

Sharon Van Gaskin

L. Sheperd- I really don't want to criticize other parenting styles or parents. I think it happens all too often as it is. Any person can have a child any time they wish, that includes teenagers and women in their mid to late 40s. It's not my call, and if someone wants 10, 12, or more children, that's fine too. I really would never criticize that. (Other parents think I'm crazy for actually wanting a decent age gap, so everyone is different.) I'm even fascinated with the Duggar family. I would like to evaluate why a parent feels it's necessary to push a crying, hysterical into a stroller so they can continue shopping. Order online if your child is that upset. I'd prefer my own child not see her entire first or second year of life from a low-riding stroller with a severely limited view. And I don't consider childwearing an extreme of attachment parenting. Most healthy babies love to be held a lot. Perhaps, a few with stimulation issues don't enjoy it, but I do feel an overwhelming m

Posted on 04/02/2007 at 8:04:00 AM

Sharon Van Gaskin

L. Sheperd- If I have second child, the gap will be well over 5 years, so I won't need to use a stroller or multiple strollers. I plan to have the number of children that I can care for in the way I see fit. If I end up with twins, I can carry both, if I end up with triplets, which would be a long shot from a natural conception, then my husband would carry one the times he is with me and I'd use a stroller and rotate everyone. But I see plenty of parents of only one child and multiple adults in tow sometimes and strollers are still being used. I'm challenging the idea that parents/society seem to feel that strollers are an indispensable product that life would not be possible without. Does a parent have to reach for a stroller every single time they venture out in public? that's what I'd really like readers to consider

Posted on 04/02/2007 at 8:04:00 AM

Sharon Van Gaskin

Christy M-My child was in the 95% percentile for weight and off the charts for height for the first 20-some months of her life, but I was previously a weighlifter, so that's not an issue for me. And I'm not necessarily put off by limited stroller use, but I don't think it's necessary for people who do use strollers everyday of their lives and every place they go to comment on moms who don't use strollers. That's really part of what provoked this piece. Parent how you want, but that doesn't necessitate criticizing other parents.

Posted on 04/02/2007 at 8:04:00 AM

When you have only one child it's pretty easy to criticize anything you might see as "lazy" parenting. Believe me, I did it too, and I was good at it. But once you have three or four, we'll talk about stroller use then. ;)

Posted on 04/01/2007 at 9:04:00 PM

Christy M

I don't think you can assume that a parent who doesn't carry a child is lazy. I have a sling. I also have a child that is in the 98th % for weight. In other words, my 17-month old weighs 30 lbs (about the size of an average 3 year-old). Anyway, kids need to be cuddled and hugged and kissed, but I think it's ok for kids to have some independence as well. Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of the extremities of attachment parenting (although the basic premise makes sense to me). I'll keep my stroller, thank you very much, especially now that I'm pregnant and am not supposed to be carrying anything as heavy as my son! =}

Posted on 03/30/2007 at 8:03:00 PM

Sharon Van Gaskin

Shanika-It's definitely not my intention to criticize parenting styles but rather challenge widely held beliefs about parenting that so many, many parents and caregivers have about parenting. Many people use strollers because they've purchased strollers, and one of the main reasons they've purchased strollers is because every parent they've ever seen has relied on strollers. Fortunately, we're progressing beyond the mentality that babies who are held too much can get "spoiled."

Posted on 03/22/2007 at 4:03:00 PM

Shanika Chapman

WHOA WHOA WHOA. Dang Sharon! No, you make some great points. My daughter and I go on 2 hour walks a few times a week, so I definitely use my stroller then (and she loves it). I have a Maya Wrap, but the damn thing KILLS my shoulder, so I usually just carry her for errands(which she also loves). You are right to wonder why many parents even bother having children. It's as though they think "Well, of course I'll have kids. Isnt that what people do?" Im fine when a couple have one child and realize they werent cut out for parenting. Ok, now you know, do the best you can. But when people continue to have kids simply because... KILLS me.

Posted on 03/16/2007 at 5:03:00 AM

Type in Your Comments Below - (1000 characters left)

Comments 1 - 15 of 53

Today's Most Commented On

Political Correctness Clashes with Christmas - Aga...

An analysis of the intolerance of political correc...

A Christmas song for all my A.C friends

Being the Biggest Loser Made Me a Winner

Losing weight is easy when you discover what motiv...

The Best of Science Fiction: Then and Now

This is a review of the best science fiction shows...

Advertisment

View all Categories

More Topics

» Opinion/Editorial