It's funny how one may immediately find this inappropriate, but at the same time think that handicapped parking spots are OK. Positive discrimination at its best :).

I've been teaching in South Korea for nearly a year, and this really surprises and confuses me! The Seoul subways used to have women-only cars, but that initiative was quickly abandoned. Most of my fellow teachers (male AND female) have cars and honestly, the men seem to be more dangerous drivers because they self-admittedly drive drunk more often. I don't see the lady parking spaces as a safety thing or even as a chivalry thing. Last week, I saw a boyfriend plop down in a subway seat while his lady stood by his side stroking his hair, and this boys-first(!) seems to be fairly normal behavior from what I've observed. Males get to eat first too, etc., but they do pay for everything and carry their girlfriends' purses. It's a pretty complicated country and my small experience hardly makes me qualified to even comment, but I just wanted to say that there is no clear answer here! At least to me as a foreign observer.

"Handicapped parking spots" aren't wider to accommodate a group assumed to be bad drivers. They're necessary for safe loading and unloading of wheelchairs and other assistive devices on level ground (ideally). Some placard holders don't need a wider space, of course, but they have other health needs that are accommodated by a closer, obstacle-free approach to the entrance (no curbs, no steps).

Thank you, Penny. Handicapped spaces are perfectly reasonable - not only do some people have wheelchairs, but others, like both my and my so's mom, have other medical conditions that prevent them from walking long distances. This situation, however, seems extremely sexist and just feeds into the stereotype about Asian females being bad drivers. Is there any evidence that this is true? And if it is, shouldn't we be MORE concerned about making sure women are being taught properly, rather than just making exceptions for them?

Claire, I heard about those women only subways (I think). Wasn't it to prevent women from being groped and otherwise harassed while riding the subway?

Completely unrelated, the guy you saw sitting on the subway while his girlfriend stood might have had a back problem. I have a back problem and sometimes that means I sit and my boyfriend stands, or having him hold my stuff. Society doesn't think anything of it because I'm a girl. But if it was the other way around I bet people would have plenty of things to say about him. Just my 2 cents. I don't think there should be any kind of girls first or boys first situation, I think it should be everybody together :-D.

I'm more concerned with whether they have women-only parking spots at establishments that cater mainly to men. For instance, do they take up valuable parking space at a Korean sports bar?

Tongue in cheek, but only slightly so. There is a hiking trailhead near my house that has about 20 spots. 5 of them are handicapped. It's a hiking trail, along which no wheelchair could possibly go due to roots, branches, etc! Ridiculous.

I suspect that the parking spaces are actually a safety measure, so that women can more quickly get inside after parking at night. That would explain why the article also mentions new street lights being installed.

The "unskilled women drivers" thing is probably an invention of the reporter. Frankly, journalism in South Korea lacks high standards of professionalism.

Before I got to the end of the post, I assumed what Korea Beat mentioned as well: that these parking spaces might be special for women to help prevent them from being attacked in parking lots. But that would really only make sense if the parking space were closer to the entrance of the building. Do we know if this pink space is any closer to the building? Or is it far away to keep bad women drivers away from other people's cars?

Men in America always infuriate me when they comment about how bad women drive. I'm not sure, but don't men get in more accidents, do more reckless things in cars, statistically? There are so many stereotypes I've heard about bad drivers: women, black people, immigrants, teenagers...it seems the only people who are good drivers are white men. Right. But what is the reality?

That doesn't surprise me at all. Even though I have never been to South Korea, I currently live in Brazil and their "macho" culture is really something. There is a saying that "women driving, constant danger" (mulher ao volante, perigo constante). When I first saw the picture, thought it was taken here. But again, I know nothing about South Korean culture, I only can relate to that from what I experienced in Brazil.

heatherleila - I believe that, statistically, men are more likely to get involved in big car accidents and their cars are more often considered as total loss after those accidents. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to get involved in small accidents, what result in small car wrecks and scratches.

Placard spaces aren't only for wheelchair users, as I said; but don't assume a wheelchair user can't enjoy some off-roading--there are some very sturdy chairs made for use on rough terrain like hiking trails.

@Penny

Trust me, nobody on a wheelchair is going on that trail. It's wild and mountainous. It ain't a park.

In fact, in all the years I've been going there, I've never seen one of those 5 handicapped spots filled.

Doesn't that seem like a waste of space?

It could also be as advertised: "a woman-friendly" parking space. I wouldn't mind a man-only parking space.
For instance, most department store parking lots in Korea reserve the most convenient level for women-only parking levels.

I've lived in South Korea for over a year. The older generations of men are hostile to the idea of women driving (particularly in areas outside of Seoul, which is more progressive), so many women who own their own cars have darkly tinted windows so men won't see that there's a woman behind the wheel. There are very, very few female cab drivers, who make up for it with an extra dose of aggression. These spaces, however, seem needlessly pandering and insulting.

It's not uncommon to find placard spaces in the parking areas for otherwise inaccessible places--maybe that parking area is also used for other purposes that you're not aware of? Maybe the trail is slated to have an accessible component that hasn't yet been built? (That happens.) Maybe it used to have an accessible component that has since been lost? (That happens, too.)

There is hardly an overabundance of accessible parking in the world, no matter how many times people say "but I never see anyone parked there...."

Also: Quite a number of disabled hikers have climbed at Mount Everest, two for example:
http://www.glennshaw.com/Everest/media.htm
http://media-dis-n-dat.blogspot.com/2009/01/woman-with-ms-preps-to-climb-mt-everest.html

So, unless your trail is harder than THAT... don't assume it's not of any interest to any disabled hikers.

"heatherleila - I believe that, statistically, men are more likely to get involved in big car accidents and their cars are more often considered as total loss after those accidents. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to get involved in small accidents, what result in small car wrecks and scratches."

Basically true, men are also far more likely to be involved in car accidents that involve fatalities.

Teenagers are usually the age group blamed for the worst driving but they are actually second, the worst group are those aged 60 or higher.

I've never seen a comparison on the different races.

One of my old psychology profs performed a really interesting study on self perceived driving ability in relation to car accidents. It was quite interesting; as perceptions of being a "good" driver rose so did the accident rate. And those who considered themselves "poor" drivers had some of the lowest accident rates. Self confidence in the matter really has some warped effects.

@ Penny.

Ok, you're being just a bit ridiculous. If a handicapped person could climb Mt. Everest, or this mountainous hiking trail, why the heck do they need to park 10 ft. closer to the trailhead???

@tim

Did it ever occur to you that there may be a law that requires a certain number of handicapped parking spaces in a parking lot, no matter where it is?

“women driving, constant danger” is Italian too, unfortunately.

Last time I checked women were less likely to have accidents, at least in Europe, but I don't know if this takes into account that most truck drivers (or cab drivers, for that matter) are males.

If the parking spot were to protect the women (more illuminated, closer to the exit...) they could be a good idea. Not as good as reducing the number of rapists, but in the meanwhile...

"Ok, you’re being just a bit ridiculous. If a handicapped person could climb Mt. Everest, or this mountainous hiking trail, why the heck do they need to park 10 ft. closer to the trailhead???"

Because, as I said in my very first explanation above, placard parking is NOT always about a distance accommodation. Many placard holders simply need a wider, flatter space to use a van lift and unload wheeled adaptive equipment.

drivers.. but i think having women only parking lots is a BIG offense to women.. way to discriminate.. but then again.. some (most?)women in korea are a bit.. out of it..

Why not? They play with smaller basketballs and soccer balls, get to tee off closer to the hole, and throw darts closer to the board... Is that all sexist? Is it an accident? Why not? Doesn't mean its a handicap, just means a prime parking spot where you can continue to keep your insurance premiums lower and keep bragging about it.

Duran: "Trust me, nobody on a wheelchair is going on that trail. It’s wild and mountainous. It ain’t a park."

How about with this one?

http://www.tankchair.com/

A growing problem with the reserved handicapped spaces is that a lot of older people try to get the permit to park there just because they want to park closer. Several friends of mine have worked at doctor's offices in various capacities and have told me they get many requests for the doctor to sign off on a permit even though they have no condition that justifies it; "I'm 70, buy God, and I deserve to park by the door!" seems to be the attitude of such people. Many docs will issue them, too (probably for a kickback).

A reserved parking spot or two at a trailhead wouldn't bother me, but proposals to pave or otherwise grade and smooth the actual trails to allow wheelchair access to wilderness areas (actual wilderness areas, not parks) are way, way too far IMO. Also consider the opportunity for revenue from ticketing violators at that trailhead...

Speaking of getting fined, as a nice segue back to the topic I'm curious to know if a man parks in one of these pink spots, will he be ticketed/fined?

Where I live, handicapped parking spots are identical to regular ones, they're just reserved for the handicapped. The reason I mentioned this example is the fact I've spoken to a lot of handicapped people (also my GF is a social care worker and we often discuss stuff like this) and they are mostly upset because of these parkings.

We people mostly think we're doing them a favor for treating them better, but just like women might get offended by these parking spots, although they are a privilege, handicapped people get offended too. They feel patronized. Even though they might have problems getting out of the car or walking a larger distance if they had to park like everyone else, for them it's worth it, because they feel they're treated equally.

You don't have to go as far as Korea. I have recently seen "Frauenparkplätze" in Switzerland (Bern) too.

On female parking spaces: when I was in Germany there were spaces specifically reserved for women in parking garages that were closer to the entrances for safety. Greater privaledges for women to "protect" them are interesting, for not only do they imply that women need to be protected -- but also that men are going to attack them if they aren't. From what I know, S. Korea is still patriarchal, and men themselves are probably implementing those laws. Talk about a "double consciousness."

Asians (male & female) are by far the worst drivers, regardless of country.

We need these in fort lee, nj. People seem to think that head in spots are angled parking. I've come back to my car and the car next to it is partly in my spot. Oh yeah, traffic signals and signs are optional, apparently.

Ok it's ok for handicap is fine but come on just for women why what the reason for that???????

I apologize for any possible derailment, but I couldn't let this pass unchallenged.
@Mato
Please don't presume to speak for an entire group of people, particularly one of which you are not a member.
Also, "handicapped" is generally thought of as an outdated and offensive term.
As a person with a disability that limits my mobility, I am grateful for the availability of disability parking. The closer I am to the door the less fatigue I experience, the more likely it is that I can do what I came to do in the first place, and the more energy I have for the rest of the day.
While the disabled people you have spoken to may feel that disability parking is somehow patronizing, I assure you that this is not a commonly held opinion. As a disability rights activist and organizer, I have met only one or two people who choose not to use the parking available to them. Neither of them made this choice because they consider reasonable accomodation "patronizing" in any way.
Most people use disability parking because they *need* it. It is physically impossible to operate a lift-equipped van in a "normal" space. Try getting to your car door using a wheelchair or a walker frame in between cars parked a foot apart.
I don't know where you live, but if disability parking is identical to normal parking but for location and signage, there is a problem. The spaces should be wider or bordered by striped regions to accomodate a wheelchair.
What is "patronizing" is the implication that people think they are "doing us a favor" by oh-so-generously providing us access to the same places that everyone else can get to. This is not a "favor". "Treating me equally" means acknowledging that I have the same right to go where I want as able-bodied people have. If I need a parking space that allows me to get out of my car and to the door, that's just the way it is. It is not charity to provide the means for all members of society to function.

It's futile to attempt to teach women anything....this is exactly the type of policies we should start implementing in the US for the type of people (women) known to be of a lower overall mental capacity.

i think thats awesome!!!

Hell yeah, woman are really bad drivers. They need their own road. Most of the time mine drives on the foot path. And as for the woman complaining about the drunk driving, well we dont crash. You should be stroking our hair when we're passed out on a bench because we give you an allowance each week to spend on shopping.

Shouldn't you be cooking your husband dinner?

Is the comment section moderated at all? I mean, has anyone seen these comments?

"asians are bad drivers"

"type of people (women) known to be of a lower overall mental capacity"

"woman are really bad drivers"

great post.
regards.
prada sneakers

Well, before we form an opinion one way or another about this we need to look at the society. If it is a fairly homogenous society with male-female roles well defined, and if it is a society where the woman and not the man is going to be running many errands with children in tow, then this makes sense to me to have convenience-parking for the woman. For any other reason than that, I'm not sure, though.

Just thought I'd comment on the notations regarding accessible parking spaces (otherwise known as Handicap parking spaces). Accessible parking spaces are dictated by building code to be a minimum of 9'-0" in width by 18'-0" in length and provide for either an 8'-0" wide access aisle (for spaces marked as van accessible) or 5'-0" in width. This is a mandate regulated by the ADAAG and implemented in all building codes throughout the US. Additionally, the number of parking spaces labeled accessible is determined by a ratio also regulated by the ADAAG specifying a number of accessible parking spaces per non-accessible spaces (typically 1:20). Having 5 accessible spaces for a 20 space parking lot may be a bit overkill but obviously the city or county directives had a reason behind doing so.

Accessible parking spaces are not simply for persons in wheelchairs. They are meant for persons with any disability be it blind, wheelchair ridden, limited mobility, or any number of reasons. They provide a direct access to the point of destination that has minimized obstructions and offer the easiest point of access.

On the note that someone's accessible parking might be the same size as the normal parking spaces.... Municipal codes by city vary. One city may only require an 8'-0" clearance for a parking spaces, others may increase that to the point that the normal parking space is, by law, required to be the same size as a handicap parking space.

Seems like a good idea to me.

We have two International Korean students living with us here in America. I asked them about this and they said this happens mostly at malls because women buy more than men and there are not enough parking spots so women are given priority. They thought they might be wider because women are carrying more packages in and out of the car. Neither one thinks women are worse drivers than men in Korea or bad drivers compared to citizens overall elsewhere. They did not think women drive any less than men or that they are restricted from driving in any way.

Could a male beginner driver, nervous about parking, use one of these wider spaces? Or would he get in trouble, do you think?

i was thinking, as an american mom, that a wider space would be better for the minivan and to have a little extra space to unload babies and strollers

women are worse drivers than men

I know this an old post, but I've just read it and comments didn't give me an answer to the question about special parking places for women. So I googled  Croatian sites. I don't know about South Korea, but the example taken from Croatia is related to either pregnant women or women with small children (usually 0-3 years old). E.g. one particular shopping center (City Center One) advertised it's special program  "Mummy mornings" emphasizing the special "family parking": "There is a specially marked family parking in a garage, size of one and a half  parking place, so you can fully open the door of the car and take you baby out". It has nothing to do with stereotype of women as bad drivers or safety measures al least in Croatia, but I guess the reasons are the same in other countries.  

There are also women only parking spots in amsterdam.

Looks like they're saying we should ban female pilots, bus drivers and taxi drivers. Maybe they should limit the speed of female cars to 20km/h less than male drivers too.

So an elderly male war veteran needs to park at the far end of the lot while a 20 year old woman parks at the entrance because she's considered mentally deficient in relation to driving. Way to go political correctness.

A friend of mine in Korea stated that these were meant to be for pregnant woman. It wasn't specified in the article that was written, however. Korean journalism isn't noted for their great journalistic skills.