Welcome to Debate Club! Please be aware that this is a space for respectful debate, and that your ideas will be challenged here. Please remember to critique the argument, not the author.
Amusement park in the south discriminating obese? How can they be more fair?
Options
Replies
-
-
it's a shame that the average population is overweight leaning toward obese.
as for singling out woman I suspect it has more to do with average height of woman vs weight where as an average man who is 200lbs is not as big around as a woman who is 200lbs...
This is absolutely ludicrous, there is no scientific justification for singling out women for weight based restrictions and your guess here is absolute nonsense. Rough estimates of the "average" female vs the "average" male are no basis for sound policy when there is quite a bit of overlap and variation in physical morphology, both within and between genders. If a ride can accommodate a 5'7" man weighing 200 lbs it can accommodate a woman of the same height and weight. How about a 6'2" woman vs a 6'2" man? 200 lbs would be within the normal range for both. This is why amusement parks usually have far more general regulations and leave it to the informed discretion of staff when helping attendees to the ride's seats.
The amusement park in my city has restrictions listed for individual rides, based on a sound engineering evaluation of each one. This is scientifically sound and totally reasonable, it's a policy based on facts instead of generalized bias. Frankly, I wouldn't trust the safety of the rides at any amusement park that couldn't safely accommodate a 200 lb person of any gender, on at least a fair number of its rides.4 -
Alatariel75 wrote: »TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »
Maybe in the future people will have a chip implanted (by choice), and those with medical conditions and disabilities such as obesity could get a reduced rate at park entrance. Each ride entrance would have a chip reader.How about a pro-rated price for everyone? Each person could be run through a series of screens on their way into the park, checking for height, weight, and age, as well as other medical conditions such as epilepsy, pregnancy, heart disease, orthopedic injuries, etc. Then the price could be based on the percentage of attractions that the person could potentially visit. So small children would only pay for the attractions in the kiddie land, carousel, etc. plus all the shows. Obese people wouldn't pay for roller coasters or kiddie rides. (Unless they are obese kids).
Those who get motion sickness can't really ride the roller coasters either, or any other "motion" rides, so they shouldn't have to pay for those.
Sound like a good idea?
This technology could also be used to determine how much to charge people pay buffets. I would be willing to pay extra compared to a 100 lb person. I see nothing wrong with this.
It's funny you should mention this. I have an interest in transhumanism (the technological modification of the human body) and when the technology gets more stable can see something like this coming into existence. Some people have already had themselves chipped.
For the time being though I might just settle for the next gen Apple watch though...
@msf74 I read this article the other day - fascinating!!!
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/04/worlds-first-cyborg-human-evolution-science/
@Alatariel75 Fascinating and terrifying in equal parts!
To take this further I'm squeamish about the the thought of willingly replacing healthy parts of the body, or all of it, but there is a compelling argument to say this will become commonplace in the future.
It will start with the best of intentions in the medical field. Blind man put down your stick for we have given you sight! Wheelchair user arise! Human beings as Gods.
This will attract the attention and investment of industry. Top basketball players, with the huge financial rewards which come with it, will have small modifications here or there to begin with. Just to give them an edge, a little more accuracy, a little more speed. Other teams get wind of this and encourage their players to do so as well leading to pressure for more and more modification and entire limbs being replaced. A literal arms race.
This drives more innovation and investment which drives down costs. Soon rudimentary modification is available to the general public. Chefs replace their fingers and enhance their tastebuds. Lawyers enhance their vocal cords and neural circuitry. Farm workers strengthen their back and legs. The need to stay competitive in the workplace will lead to the irresistible desire to modify for most people. And so it goes on.
There are huge questions for us on the horizon which need answering.
Human Lives Matter may be more prescient as a slogan than first thought.7 -
Well, they could always follow the example of the wagon trains heading west on the Oregon Trail. Anyone taking up more than 24" on a seat were not allowed to go.
Therefore, there was no West for the reary.38 -
If you pay for a cruise (my honey sells them) the rate is for two people. You don't get a discount for going by yourself. They'd rather sell it to someone else at full price than give it to you for half.
Hotels generally charge for double occupancy and don't give single people discounts. They still have to wash the bed sheets.
I don't know how theme parks decide their pricing, but there was capitalism works is companies offer something, and you pay for it if you think it's a good deal.8 -
peckchris3267 wrote: »
Some rides have a weight limit for safety reasons like our zip lines, climbing tower, and water slide.lalepepper wrote: »I think that size restrictions for rides are completely understandable, but I don't agree with their method.
That said, I think setting a cut off weight is silly. I'm a 6' woman. The upper end of healthy weight tops out at 183. If I were 200 lbs I would be under 20 lbs into overweight. I think having a tester seat is a better solution to fit the variety of bodies that would come and could fit safely.
As I clarified above, I meant having a cut off weight specifically for women. I see how my original post could be construed as dismissing weight limits all together. I completely agree that weight limits are reasonable, but having a particular one for women that is different than men does not make sense.4 -
I don't think there is a fair or right answer here, it's just the way it is. As an obese person I don't even take offence to it, it just wouldn't make sense and safety wise you can't always accommodate every body type.0
-
lalepepper wrote: »peckchris3267 wrote: »
Some rides have a weight limit for safety reasons like our zip lines, climbing tower, and water slide.lalepepper wrote: »I think that size restrictions for rides are completely understandable, but I don't agree with their method.
That said, I think setting a cut off weight is silly. I'm a 6' woman. The upper end of healthy weight tops out at 183. If I were 200 lbs I would be under 20 lbs into overweight. I think having a tester seat is a better solution to fit the variety of bodies that would come and could fit safely.
As I clarified above, I meant having a cut off weight specifically for women. I see how my original post could be construed as dismissing weight limits all together. I completely agree that weight limits are reasonable, but having a particular one for women that is different than men does not make sense.
It's just a guideline for people to judge if they should go for a certain ride or not. When you think 200 pound woman, what comes to mind? And what comes to mind when you think a 200 pound man? If a taller woman who fits securely comes in, do you think they would stand her on a scale to make sure she isn't over 200? If a shorter man who doesn't fit securely comes in, do you think they would stand him on a scale and tell him "you're under 225 pounds, go ahead". The average 200 pound woman is sized differently from the average 200 pound man. Gender differences exist in several aspects, and that's why sports are mostly by gender, not because they are singling out women. That's why there is are different calculations for men and for women to estimate TDEE. The different formulas don't exist because "women are supposed to be these dainty little creatures who eat less", it's because women do on average need fewer calories than men. Gender differences is also why what is considered a healthy body fat for men is different from what is considered healthy for women. These differences aren't really meant as a "because you're a woman and probably don't have the willpower and mental capacity to manage your body fat we will give you an easier percentage to aim for". Looking at it this way would be reading too much into simple facts, as is dissecting these guidelines... What, in your opinion, do they mean by having gender specific guidelines? What do you believe they're saying that is offensive?8 -
We were at Six Flags a few weeks ago. A lot of their motion rides had a feature which I liked: they provided seats outside of the line area for patrons to try. It's similar to the way that airlines provide fixture that show whether your bag will fit in the overhead bin.
That way there was much less ambiguity. If you don't fit in the test seat -- if you can't buckle the straps or lower the bar -- then you won't fit on the ride.5 -
We were at Six Flags a few weeks ago. A lot of their motion rides had a feature which I liked: they provided seats outside of the line area for patrons to try. It's similar to the way that airlines provide fixture that show whether your bag will fit in the overhead bin.
That way there was much less ambiguity. If you don't fit in the test seat -- if you can't buckle the straps or lower the bar -- then you won't fit on the ride.
Yes, Carowinds in North/South Carolina does this as well. This actually makes a lot of sense to me, because 200lbs can look very different on people.
ETA - and it also gets rid of the gender specific qualification as well.3 -
We were at Six Flags a few weeks ago. A lot of their motion rides had a feature which I liked: they provided seats outside of the line area for patrons to try. It's similar to the way that airlines provide fixture that show whether your bag will fit in the overhead bin.
That way there was much less ambiguity. If you don't fit in the test seat -- if you can't buckle the straps or lower the bar -- then you won't fit on the ride.
King's Dominion in Doswell, VA and Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA have these as well.1 -
We were at Six Flags a few weeks ago. A lot of their motion rides had a feature which I liked: they provided seats outside of the line area for patrons to try. It's similar to the way that airlines provide fixture that show whether your bag will fit in the overhead bin.
That way there was much less ambiguity. If you don't fit in the test seat -- if you can't buckle the straps or lower the bar -- then you won't fit on the ride.
Yes, Carowinds in North/South Carolina does this as well. This actually makes a lot of sense to me, because 200lbs can look very different on people.
ETA - and it also gets rid of the gender specific qualification as well.
Ah, Carowinds! I worked there when I was in high school, serving up all-the-way foot long hot dogs at Billy Bob's Barbecue. I haven't been there in decades.
...
Whoa, I just had a look at the park map. I hardly recognize anything on there!2 -
We were at Six Flags a few weeks ago. A lot of their motion rides had a feature which I liked: they provided seats outside of the line area for patrons to try. It's similar to the way that airlines provide fixture that show whether your bag will fit in the overhead bin.
That way there was much less ambiguity. If you don't fit in the test seat -- if you can't buckle the straps or lower the bar -- then you won't fit on the ride.
If they had these seats at entrance to the park they could eliminate the nuances of describing who can and cannot go on the rides. A simple "If you don't fit in this seat you can't go on the ride" would eliminate all ambiguity and let people know up front whether the rides are an option for them. Does anyone know of a park that does this?2 -
If you are unable to fit on the rides at OWA, go get yourself some park food, that should help your situation...
8 -
We were at Six Flags a few weeks ago. A lot of their motion rides had a feature which I liked: they provided seats outside of the line area for patrons to try. It's similar to the way that airlines provide fixture that show whether your bag will fit in the overhead bin.
That way there was much less ambiguity. If you don't fit in the test seat -- if you can't buckle the straps or lower the bar -- then you won't fit on the ride.
If they had these seats at entrance to the park they could eliminate the nuances of describing who can and cannot go on the rides. A simple "If you don't fit in this seat you can't go on the ride" would eliminate all ambiguity and let people know up front whether the rides are an option for them. Does anyone know of a park that does this?
Wouldn't different types of rides have different restrictions, though? Having the seats specific to that ride close to each ride seems to make more sense. Then again, I haven't been to an amusement park since my high school days cruising the county fair.0 -
It seems very reasonable to me parks have always done things like this for safety reasons... Nobody is forced to go there if your overweight past Roller Coaster rules maybe that's not a great weekend trip to take unless you plan on skipping the rides like anyone else who might have a condition like hearts and or backs plenty of people can't ride them. You choose what to spend your money on, be responsible and check the place out online before you go. I also imagine if you didn't know and asked for your money back right after buying tickets they would refund you anyway.2
-
We were at Six Flags a few weeks ago. A lot of their motion rides had a feature which I liked: they provided seats outside of the line area for patrons to try. It's similar to the way that airlines provide fixture that show whether your bag will fit in the overhead bin.
That way there was much less ambiguity. If you don't fit in the test seat -- if you can't buckle the straps or lower the bar -- then you won't fit on the ride.
If they had these seats at entrance to the park they could eliminate the nuances of describing who can and cannot go on the rides. A simple "If you don't fit in this seat you can't go on the ride" would eliminate all ambiguity and let people know up front whether the rides are an option for them. Does anyone know of a park that does this?
Wouldn't different types of rides have different restrictions, though? Having the seats specific to that ride close to each ride seems to make more sense. Then again, I haven't been to an amusement park since my high school days cruising the county fair.
I was thinking of having a seat for every ride at the entrance. That way if your focus is the rides (or even some of the rides) and you don't fit, you don't have to pay to get into the park and then find out you can't ride. I don't know of any places that do this (all the test seats are in front of the specific ride) but I think it makes sense.1 -
I think that most amusement parks just charge you a given rate to get in regardless of what you actually intend to do, like Disney World and Cedar Point. My mother-in-law hates rides and rarely does anything more than walk around and occasionally ride the train, but has to pay full admission; once you are in the gate, there are no controls in place to limit your activity, you can ride anything (that your size permits). Once they start allowing discounted admission based upon riding certain rides, I think it becomes too difficult to administer.4
-
We were at Six Flags a few weeks ago. A lot of their motion rides had a feature which I liked: they provided seats outside of the line area for patrons to try. It's similar to the way that airlines provide fixture that show whether your bag will fit in the overhead bin.
That way there was much less ambiguity. If you don't fit in the test seat -- if you can't buckle the straps or lower the bar -- then you won't fit on the ride.
Yes, Carowinds in North/South Carolina does this as well. This actually makes a lot of sense to me, because 200lbs can look very different on people.
ETA - and it also gets rid of the gender specific qualification as well.
Ah, Carowinds! I worked there when I was in high school, serving up all-the-way foot long hot dogs at Billy Bob's Barbecue. I haven't been there in decades.
...
Whoa, I just had a look at the park map. I hardly recognize anything on there!
Yes, they really keep changing things there. They added a new roller coaster fairly recently. I've only been about 3 times, but I remember the seats they had outside the ride, at least for some of them.1
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.3K Introduce Yourself
- 43.4K Getting Started
- 259.6K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 387 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.2K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 22 News and Announcements
- 911 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.3K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions