GURU PERF <guruperf@...> wrote:
> I can appreciate your very thoughtful, reasoned discussion on this
> issue. But I can at least partially understand where some of the
> visceral objections come from. Until you've seen a just-barely older
> than toddler sitting alone on the steps of a casino entrance (very
> frequent occurrence at the Taj Mahal in AC back when we were still
> going there) or seen an infant in a stroller being wheeled around a
> casino at 2AM (hello, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods)it might not hit home
> quite as vividly.
This tangentially touches on what I have found missing in this thread: Any venue can be made an "inappropriate venue" through bad parenting.
Jean Scott has described how she's taken advantage of casino amenities to entertain her extended family and I think rightfully demonstrates that there's definite "family value" to be found in the casino environment.
But it should go without saying that appropriate parental supervision and judgment is a prerequisite at all times. Failing that, then it's a certainty "worst case" scenarios will develop.
Personally, if I had children, I wouldn't bring them anywhere near a casino until they were at least age 12. Quite frankly, I'd prefer to shelter them from some of the worst behavior on parade until such time as I'm sure they can discern for themselves what's appropriate and what's foolhardy in adult behavior.
But I have friends who have brought younger children on stays without incident, and who responsibly ensure that the kids are appropriately occupied, not bored, and not prone to seek out trouble. For that, I admire them.
