As we started walking from the parking area to the ticket queue, we realized that many families thought the same and were there in full force to show support to the gorilla adoption.

Children with grandparents, single moms with friends and neighbour’s kids, kids from the hood and their Big Bro’, scouts with their leaders, gays with their kids, kids from the burbs with their teenage sis (who never got off from the sms-ing). There were people black, white, orange, red, blue, green – all hues and heights and shapes. It was an all American day with strollers and carriages.

Strollers of all kinds.

“Go everywhere SUV strollers”, “mini van travel system strollers”, “luxury sedan carriage strollers”, “full size SUV double strollers”, “sports car lightweight strollers”, “ATV jogging strollers”, “tandem strollers”, “budget car lightweight strollers”, convertible double strollers, “sit and stand featured twin strollers”, “side-by-side umbrella strollers”, “mid-size strollers”. (Source: Names are from various online sites that review strollers)

Strollers with all kinds of blings.

These strollers were there seemingly at every feet in front, back and sideways around us. It is hard to breathe when you are taken over with the fear of embarrassment in case one of these Super Utility Strollers (SUS) ran over us.

Not only there is this entire world of strollers with features and options, there is entire world of accessorizing the stroller and associated bling industry. I am glad America provides so many options to its consumers. It is the land of consuming opportunities.

But behind the umbrella, bug bite preventors, pashimanas, blankets, umbrella holders, water holders, playschool lullaby glowworm, baby Einstein activity toys, carry bags, pillows, cushions, padded seat inserts (shearling or not), on-the-go bug mobile, frog parasols, weather shields, just-for-stroller diaper bags --- it occurred to me, we were witnessing an emblematic cultural phenomenon of laziness.

Children who can walk … (we are not even talking about those who twaddle – we are talking about those who can walk and many who are older than 4 years) … are there at the zoo, sucking on sticky candy (ok! that was not really a problem – never mind!) … sitting in a stroller and being pushed around by an adult. Thus, creating a major traffic jam at every site of interest at the zoo.

Have parents become so lazy that they willfully inflict a false sense of caution by pushing their children in these SUS cocoons?

Granted these are not using any fossil fuel yet, but then again, was our childhood that traumatic to us or to our parents because they did not have these SUS? This is only rhetorical question for those who had a fairly bourgeois upbringing like me. You need not answer.

When did this laziness seep into our society that parents would rather push these SUSs and not indulge in slowing down their pace to match their kids or running after their able ambulating kids or picking them up when they are truly (not faking) tired?

This phenomenon is a complete public nuisance for the rest of us.

As for you who use it --- I am not an epidemiologist nor have any medical professional background, but I suspect that children that are able to walk should be stroller free.
See the following link
http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/utsw/cda/dept16498/files/123285.html

I also wonder if there is a connection between use of stroller and childhood obesity.

May be! Just may be --- in this litigious society, we will come to a day when as grown adults, this Y+20 generation sues stroller companies and their parents for making them obese. I can just see it now – “Stroller the next tobacco!”

Also, the government guideline (link below) states:
“Infants and toddlers should also be allowed to develop enjoyment of outdoor physical activity and unstructured exploration under the supervision of a responsible adult caregiver. Such activities include walking in the neighborhood, unorganized free play outdoors, and walking through a park or zoo.”
http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?ss=15&doc_id=9271&nbr=4962

Why the government should issue a public health guideline on something so common-sensical is of course another blog topic for another day.

For now, come and chant with me.
Let us all shush the SUS!

And oh! by the way! Umande is doing well and he is cute.

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