[SUBMITTED] Parking-Place Pandemonium

[Authoritaria-Imperia]

This issue was accepted on July 10^th, 2021 (447 days after submission), after being edited extensively by Electrum. It is #1465! Thank you all for your help and support; this has been a wild ride!

A huge thanks goes out to everyone who helped me out with this one!

Thanks to:
— Verdant Haven
— Australian rePublic
— East Priapistan
— Eotenses
— Candlewhisper Archive
— Trotterdam
— Baggieland
— Fauxia
— Apabeossie
— Ender VI
— Electrum (A special thanks to you for taking the time to edit my draft into a proper Issue! You’re awesome for picking it up. )

It's inspired by some controversy in Germany over female-only parking spaces — a real thing in parts of the world!

Parking Pandemonium

A mall in @@CAPITAL@@ recently introduced women’s parking spaces that feature extra width and better safety through improved lighting. Celebrity podcaster and influencer Schmoe Logan recently had his car towed for using one of these spaces, and is bringing the spots into the spotlight.

“These gendered parking spaces are discriminatory and they must be banned,” says Logan in his podcast, always seemingly a few words away from being dropped by his sponsors. “There were no places left! What was I meant to do? It’s not like parking lots are dangerous places. Man, this incident really makes you think about sexism. Anyways, this week’s show is brought to you by the Jock Club, where for a few lumens a month, you will receive a curated selection of underwear...”

“This mall’s initiative is simply giving a traditionally masculine space a woman’s touch,” interjects Minister of Safety @@RANDOMNAMEFEMALE@@, while she turns off the podcast and starts capping all of your pointiest pens. “In fact, we should roll out a nationwide quota of non-masculine parking spaces. It will make it so much easier to park and will do wonders for assault rates! By bringing them down, I mean...”

“If you ask me, these solutions won’t fix the greater cultural problem — the lack of safety,” offers a passing therapist, showing you an inkblot that looks like a parking space. “If you fund more night-time patrols and pay for security cameras in all parking lots, fewer people will be anxious. And, if people are worried about being watched constantly, I’m sure they can get professional help. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go; your two minute consultation is up. Any more and I’d have to charge you.”

Parking lots are littered with coffee cups and doughnut crumbs.

“SILENCE!” booms His Wisdom N. Sanni Teeh, Grand Kahuna of the Cult of Cyan, who has been pushing the little-known religious organisation to rename itself ‘Cyantology’. “‘Tis a great insult to our deity to waste time needlessly looking for parking spots instead of praying! The Maker demands our malls use...” he gazes up at the ceiling, “...free valet parking.”

Submitted edition:

Title: Parking-Place Pandemonium

Validity: Does not have the "No automobiles" policy

A mall in @@CAPITAL@@ recently introduced female-only parking spaces in its garage, offering extra safety through better lighting and exit proximity. Visiting celebrity Bill Fences has since had his car towed for using one himself, bringing the spots into the spotlight.

Option 1:
"There were no spaces left! What was I meant to do?" exclaims Mr. Fences, "Safety is one thing, but this is sexist. Men get assaulted too, you know! I thought everyone was given an equal opportunity in this country, and boy, was I wrong! Ban those unfair monstrosities!"
Effect: college fraternities are considered gender-discriminatory

Option 2:
"These spaces are a great idea!" interjects your Minister of Safety, while capping all of your pointiest pens, "If anything, we need MORE of them! @@LEADER@@, I believe a nation-wide quota on female spaces would do wonders for assault rates! By bringing them down, I mean…"
Effect: garages must meet a female-only parking-space quota of 100%

Option 3a: For nations accepting of non-binary sexuality
Your mother offers another approach. "Remember what I used to do when you and your siblings got into arguments? I locked you all in separate rooms to deal with your anger! You should make each car park one or the other — all boys or all girls!" She scratches her head, "Oh, and add a couple spaces for those young folk who say they aren’t either."
Effect: gender segregation is all the rage right now

Option 3b: For nations not accepting of non-binary sexuality
Your mother offers another approach. "Remember what I used to do when you and your siblings got into arguments? I locked you all in separate rooms to deal with your anger! You should make each car park one or the other — all boys or all girls!"
Effect: gender segregation is all the rage right now

Option 4: For nations without the policy "Atheism"
"SILENCE!" exclaims His Wisdom N. Sanni T., a priest of the Cult of Cyan, "'Tis a great insult to our Blue Guardian to keep a car parked in stillness! No, they must be kept in motion, as symbols of our eternal Loyalty. Cyan demands we use—" He gazes up at the ceiling, "… conveyor belts."
Effect: being stuck in traffic is considered a terrible sin

Title: No Place for Safe Spaces?
Validity: Does not have the "No Automobiles" policy
Headlines were made yesterday when rich company-CEO @@RANDOMMALEFIRSTNAME@@ @@RANDOMLASTNAME_1@@ was arrested for parking his Lamborrari sports car in a designated female-only parking space.

Option 1:"There were no spaces left — what was I meant to do?" exclaims Mr. @@RANDOMLASTNAME_1, "I don't care if women are safer having spaces near exits — this is sexist. Assault schmault — I believe that everyone should be given an equal opportunity in this country, regardless of piddly things like their gender or the size of their inheritance! Get rid of 'em, and ditch those wheelchair-accessible spaces while you're at it — if you're that disabled, you shouldn't be driving anyway!"
Effect: women often carry shields to parking garages

Option 2:"No way — those spaces are there for a good reason," interjects black-clad @@RANDOMMALENAME@@, after rising slowly from a hiding place behind your desk, "If anything, we need MORE of them! @@LEADER@@, I believe we should mark half of all public parking as female-only. It's the best way to keep @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ women safe from those creeps hiding in the shadows!" He disappears behind your desk again.
Effect: desperate men have been known to leave their cars in the middle of the street

Option 3:"Has no one else noticed the real problem here?" asks feminist @@RANDOMFEMALENAME@@, scowling, "Those female spaces are PINK. Why are we indoctrinating young girls with the notion that colour is so important? You don't see regular spaces painted baby blue. Keep female-only spaces, but mark them differently, and crack down on toy colouring for young girls — THAT's where all the trouble starts. No pink, no exceptions!"
Effect: "politically correct" toys only come in brown and beige

Title: Is There a Place for Safe Spaces?

Validity: Does not have the "No automobiles" policy

A mall in a high-crime neighbourhood recently implemented safer, female-only parking spaces in its garage, offering extra lighting and a short exit path. After rich company-CEO @@RANDOMMALEFIRSTNAME@@ @@RANDOMLASTNAME_1@@ was arrested for using one himself, they’ve hit the headlines.

Option 1:
"There were no spaces left — what was I meant to do?" exclaims Mr. @@RANDOMLASTNAME_1, "I don't care if women are safer this way — this is sexist. Assault schmault — I believe that everyone should be given an equal opportunity in this country, regardless of piddly things like gender or inheritance size! Get rid of these spaces, and ditch those wheelchair-accessible ones while you're at it — if you're that disabled, you shouldn't be driving anyway!"
Effect: women often carry shields to parking garages

Option 2:
“For ages, parking hasn’t been going anywhere, but these new spaces will make safety a walk in the park!“ interjects black-clad @@RANDOMMALENAME@@, after rising slowly from a hiding place behind your desk, "If anything, we need MORE of them! @@LEADER@@, I believe we should mark half of all public parking — nah, 70% — as female-only. It's the best way to keep @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ women safe from those creeps hiding in the shadows!" He disappears behind your desk again.
Effect: desperate men have been known to leave their cars in the middle of the street

Option 3:
“I’m all for public safety, but we need to back up — this is an infringement on our civil rights!” points out activist @@RANDOMNAME@@, “I’m tyred of all this control — why should the government decide where people can park? And come to think of it, why does it get to regulate parking at all? Double-parking does drive me insane, but it’s not the government’s business. Give us some space with our spaces, and stay in your lane, @@LEADER@@!”
Effect: parking spots are interpreted as “suggestions”

Option 4:
"Has no one else noticed the real problem here?" asks feminist @@RANDOMFEMALENAME@@, scowling, "Those female spaces are PINK. Why are we indoctrinating young girls with the notion that colour is so important? You don't see regular spaces painted baby blue. Keep female-only spaces, but mark them differently, and crack down on toy colouring for young girls — THAT's where all the trouble starts. No pink, no exceptions!"
Effect: "politically correct" toys only come in brown and beige

Title: Parking-Place Pandemonium

Validity: Does not have the "No automobiles" policy

A mall in a high-crime neighbourhood recently implemented safer, female-only parking spaces in its garage, offering extra lighting and a short exit path. After visiting-celebrity @@RANDOMMALEFIRSTNAME@@ @@RANDOMLASTNAME_1@@ had his car towed for using one himself, they’ve hit the headlines.

Option 1:
"There were no spaces left — what was I meant to do?" exclaims Mr. @@RANDOMLASTNAME_1@@, "I don't care if women are safer this way — this is sexist. Men get assaulted too, you know! I thought everyone was given an equal opportunity in this country, and boy, was I wrong! Don't expect me to come back 'til you ban those sexist monstrosities!"
Effect: cautious women know at least three forms of martial art

Option 2:
"These new spaces will make my job so much easier — it'll practically be a walk in the park!" interjects your Minister of Safety, while capping all of your pointiest pens, "If anything, we need MORE of them! @@LEADER@@, I believe a universal 20% quota on female spaces will do wonders for assault rates! By bringing them down, I mean…"
Effect: desperate men have been known to leave their cars in the middle of the street

Option 3:
"It's not a matter of equality versus safety. We need to back up — this is an infringement on our civil rights!" points out activist @@RANDOMNAME@@. "I'm tyred of all this government control! That mall deserves the freedom to decide this stuff for itself. I say we privatise all public parking, and let the people do whatever they want! Give us some space with our spaces, @@LEADER@@ and stay in your lane!"
Effect: many parking garages double as nightclubs

Option 4:
"Has no one else noticed the real problem here?" asks feminist @@RANDOMFEMALENAME@@, scowling, "Those female spaces are PINK. Why are we indoctrinating young girls with the notion that colour is so important? You don't see regular spaces painted baby blue. Keep female-only spaces, but mark them differently, and crack down on toy colouring for young girls — THAT's where all the trouble starts. No pink, no exceptions!"
Effect: "politically correct" toys only come in brown and beige

Title: Parking-Place Pandemonium

Validity: Does not have the "No automobiles" policy

A mall in a high-crime neighbourhood recently implemented safer, female-only parking spaces in its garage, offering extra lighting and a short exit path. After visiting-celebrity Bill Fences had his car towed for using one himself, they’ve hit the headlines.

Option 1:
"There were no spaces left — what was I meant to do?" exclaims Mr. Fences, "I don't care if women are safer this way; this is sexist. Men get assaulted too, you know! I thought everyone was given an equal opportunity in this country, and boy, was I wrong! Ban those sexist monstrosities!"
Effect: cautious women know at least three forms of martial art

Option 2:
“These spaces are a great idea!“ interjects your Minister of Safety, while capping all of your pointiest pens, "If anything, we need MORE of them! @@LEADER@@, I believe a universal 20% quota on female spaces would do wonders for assault rates! By bringing them down, I mean…"
Effect: desperate men have been known to leave their cars in the middle of the street

Option 3:
"Has no one else noticed the real problem here?" asks feminist @@RANDOMFEMALENAME@@, scowling, "Those female spaces are PINK. Why are we indoctrinating young girls with the notion that colour is so important? You don't see regular spaces painted baby blue. Let garages have their special spaces, but mark them differently, and crack down on toy colouring for young girls — THAT's where all the trouble starts. No pink, no exceptions!"
Effect: "politically correct" toys only come in brown and beige

Title: Parking-Place Pandemonium

Validity: Does not have the "No automobiles" policy

A mall in a high-crime neighbourhood recently implemented safer, female-only parking spaces in its garage, offering extra lighting and a short exit path. After visiting-celebrity Bill Fences had his car towed for using one himself, they’ve hit the headlines.

Option 1:
"There were no spaces left — what was I meant to do?" exclaims Mr. Fences, "I don't care if women are safer this way; this is sexist. Men get assaulted too, you know! I thought everyone was given an equal opportunity in this country, and boy, was I wrong! Ban those sexist monstrosities!"
Effect: cautious women know at least three forms of martial art

Option 2:
“These spaces are a great idea!“ interjects your Minister of Safety, while capping all of your pointiest pens, "If anything, we need MORE of them! @@LEADER@@, I believe a universal 20% quota on female spaces would do wonders for assault rates! By bringing them down, I mean…"
Effect: desperate men have been known to leave their cars in the middle of the street

Option 3a: For nations accepting of non-binary sexuality
Your mother offers another approach. "Remember what I used to do when you and your siblings got into arguments? I locked you all in separate rooms to deal with your anger! You should make each car park one or the other — all boys or all girls!" She scratches her head, "Oh, and a couple spaces for those young folk who say they aren’t either."
Effect: gender segregation is all the rage right now

Option 3b: For nations not accepting of non-binary sexuality
Your mother offers another approach. "Remember what I used to do when you and your siblings got into arguments? I locked you all in separate rooms to deal with your anger! You should make each car park one or the other — all boys or all girls!"
Effect: gender segregation is all the rage right now

Option 4:
"SILENCE!" exclaims His Wisdom N. Sanni T., a priest of the Cult of Cyan, "'Tis a great insult to our Teal Guardian to keep a car parked in stillness! No, they must be kept in motion, as symbols of our eternal Loyalty. Cyan demands we use—" He gazes up at the ceiling, "… conveyor belts."
Effect: being stuck in traffic is considered a sin

Title: Parking-Place Pandemonium

Validity: Does not have the "No automobiles" policy

A mall in @@CAPITAL@@ recently introduced female-only parking spaces in its garage, offering extra safety through better lighting and exit proximity. Visiting celebrity Bill Fences has since had his car towed for using one himself, bringing the spots into the spotlight.

Option 1:
"There were no spaces left — what was I meant to do?" exclaims Mr. Fences, "Safety is one thing, but this is sexist. Men get assaulted too, you know! I thought everyone was given an equal opportunity in this country, and boy, was I wrong! Ban those unfair monstrosities!"
Effect: college fraternities are considered gender-discriminatory

Option 2:
"These spaces are a great idea!" interjects your Minister of Safety, while capping all of your pointiest pens, "If anything, we need MORE of them! @@LEADER@@, I believe a nation-wide quota on female spaces would do wonders for assault rates! By bringing them down, I mean…"
Effect: garages must meet a female-only parking space quota of 100%

Option 3a: For nations accepting of non-binary sexuality
Your mother offers another approach. "Remember what I used to do when you and your siblings got into arguments? I locked you all in separate rooms to deal with your anger! You should make each car park one or the other — all boys or all girls!" She scratches her head, "Oh, and a couple spaces for those young folk who say they aren’t either."
Effect: gender segregation is all the rage right now

Option 3b: For nations not accepting of non-binary sexuality
Your mother offers another approach. "Remember what I used to do when you and your siblings got into arguments? I locked you all in separate rooms to deal with your anger! You should make each car park one or the other — all boys or all girls!"
Effect: gender segregation is all the rage right now

Option 4:
"SILENCE!" exclaims His Wisdom N. Sanni T., a priest of the Cult of Cyan, "'Tis a great insult to our Teal Guardian to keep a car parked in stillness! No, they must be kept in motion, as symbols of our eternal Loyalty. Cyan demands we use—" He gazes up at the ceiling, "… conveyor belts."
Effect: there's nothing as sinful as being stuck in traffic

[Australian rePublic]

Men are more likely asulted in public than women

[Authoritaria-Imperia]

Men are more likely asulted in public than women

Be that as it may, these spaces are a thing in real life.

[Verdant Haven]

I think first one would have to establish the existence of such spaces in game. They'd be illegal in some nations, and many other nations would probably just say "huh?" having never heard of such a thing. Real life is good inspiration, but things still need an in-game basis. Personally, I've never even heard of such things, so I'd need some explanation of what prompted them.

I actually think it would be a stronger issue to actually have it be about creating such spaces in the first place. There is obviously a case to be made for them, so let players decide if they want to do so! Then you can use similar arguments for whether or not to have them, and avoid the confusion about the meta.

[Australian rePublic]

Men are more likely asulted in public than women

Be that as it may, these spaces are a thing in real life.

Yes I know, but your issue is extremely bias in favour of these spaces

[Verdant Haven]

Be that as it may, these spaces are a thing in real life.

Yes I know, but your issue is extremely bias in favour of these spaces

Real-life statistics do not equal in game statistics, and are not a valid argument either way.

Also, I daresay your reading of those real life statistics is ignoring a huge amount of context relevant to this particular issue. Your record as a detractor of women's issues is long and public.

[Australian rePublic]

Let's the options as they currently stand:
Option 1. Whah! I don't wanna park two feet away. I care if you get assaulted, I don't wanna park two feet away
Option 2. Screw you!
Option 3. I'm part of the 50% of the population who is allowed to park in this parking spot. This significantly increases my chances of parking in this spot. Whah! Wrong colour!

If this not bias, I don't know what is

Yes I know, but your issue is extremely bias in favour of these spaces

Real-life statistics do not equal in game statistics, and are not a valid argument either way.

Also, I daresay your reading of those real life statistics is ignoring a huge amount of context relevant to this particular issue. Your record as a detractor of women's issues is long and public.

A. Prove me wrong
B. "NS statistics are not..." Doesn't make the issue less bias. Doesn't disprove my point. This changes nothing
C. Someone has a different opinion to me- MISOGYNY ALERT MYSOGYNY ALERT MYSOGYNY ALERT- how dare you not think the exact same exact same way as me? I know, I'll call him a mysognynist! That'll prove him wrong!
D. Prove me wrong

[East Priapistan]

Let's the options as they currently stand:
Option 1. Whah! I don't wanna park two feet away. I care if you get assaulted, I don't wanna park two feet away
Option 2. Screw you!
Option 3. I'm part of the 50% of the population who is allowed to park in this parking spot. This significantly increases my chances of parking in this spot. Whah! Wrong colour!

If this not bias, I don't know what is

I'm inclined to agree with this. Nice and relevant issue, but the options aren't exactly well-balanced.

Splitting the first issue into two could make it a bit more even, perhaps: there's the first part, which is "we don't want discrimination, even if it's positive discrimination" - which is a valid position to take - but since it's being combined with "screw disabled people while we're at it", the valid position is being pulled into an extreme. The options are either being pro-discrimination (valid position to take), or being an asshole, basically Nothing wrong with an option being an extreme, but the non-extreme options should balance each other out at least.

I think first one would have to establish the existence of such spaces in game.

Seconded, a bit of extra information could help. Adding a "... in one of the designated female-only parking spaces, which were introduced in a high-crime neighbourhood after a number of cases of assault on women" or such.

[Trotterdam]

Female-only parking spaces? This actually exists? That's insane.

[Authoritaria-Imperia]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'll get started on a new draft soon. I may go with Verdant Haven's suggestion and make it an issue of introducing the spaces.

[HypErcApitAl]

Option Four (and this would only fly in Hypercapital or any self-respecting, sensical nation-state.): Camps. Camps for all of them.

[Baggieland]

I've never even heard of such things, so I'd need some explanation of what prompted them.

Female-only parking spaces? This actually exists? That's insane.

I find this really surprising. I live in a "developing country" in South East Asia, which is also very religious and conservative, but here every mall has ladies parking areas.

[Australian rePublic]

I've never even heard of such things, so I'd need some explanation of what prompted them.

Female-only parking spaces? This actually exists? That's insane.

I find this really surprising. I live in a "developing country" in South East Asia, which is also very religious and conservative, but here every mall has ladies parking areas.

Malaysia or Indonesia?
Either case, I always thought you were English

[Baggieland]

Either case, I always thought you were English

Indeed I am, my antipodean cousin. I heeded the call of Empire, and set out to find my own corner of foreign lands and claim them for Queen and country... well, my apartment unit anyway.

[Australian rePublic]

Either case, I always thought you were English

Indeed I am, my antipodean cousin. I heeded the call of Empire, and set out to find my own corner of foreign lands and claim them for Queen and country... well, my apartment unit anyway.

What it's like living in Malaysia?

[Authoritaria-Imperia]

All right. The new draft is up, and much better, I think. Beyond fixing some of the problems you guys have brought up (by changing the description and adding an option), I’ve added like ten parking puns.

I think first one would have to establish the existence of such spaces in game. They'd be illegal in some nations, and many other nations would probably just say "huh?" having never heard of such a thing. Real life is good inspiration, but things still need an in-game basis. Personally, I've never even heard of such things, so I'd need some explanation of what prompted them.
I actually think it would be a stronger issue to actually have it be about creating such spaces in the first place. There is obviously a case to be made for them, so let players decide if they want to do so! Then you can use similar arguments for whether or not to have them, and avoid the confusion about the meta.

Thanks. The new draft takes care of the explanation part. I've added some backstory, which gave me a chance to explain what these spaces are. Since they were now pioneered by a shopping mall, there's not really as much of a meta issue, as the government didn't previously have a stance either way. The new draft does assume that double-parking is illegal — but that shouldn’t really be a problem, right?

Let's the options as they currently stand:
Option 1. Whah! I don't wanna park two feet away. I [don’t?] care if you get assaulted, I don't wanna park two feet away
Option 2. Screw you!
Option 3. I'm part of the 50% of the population who is allowed to park in this parking spot. This significantly increases my chances of parking in this spot. Whah! Wrong colour!
If this not bias, I don't know what is

Real-life statistics do not equal in game statistics, and are not a valid argument either way.Also, I daresay your reading of those real life statistics is ignoring a huge amount of context relevant to this particular issue. Your record as a detractor of women's issues is long and public.

A. Prove me wrong
B. "NS statistics are not..." Doesn't make the issue less bias. Doesn't disprove my point. This changes nothing
C. Someone has a different opinion to me- MISOGYNY ALERT MYSOGYNY ALERT MYSOGYNY ALERT- how dare you not think the exact same exact same way as me? I know, I'll call him a mysognynist! That'll prove him wrong!
D. Prove me wrong

Okay, so I’ve added a new option that works against gender-restricted parking. It’s now two for and two against.
And your post comes across as kinda angry… there's no need to be confrontational, good sir.

I'm inclined to agree with this. Nice and relevant issue, but the options aren't exactly well-balanced. Splitting the first issue into two could make it a bit more even, perhaps: there's the first part, which is "we don't want discrimination, even if it's positive discrimination" - which is a valid position to take - but since it's being combined with "screw disabled people while we're at it", the valid position is being pulled into an extreme. The options are either being pro-discrimination (valid position to take), or being an asshole, basically Nothing wrong with an option being an extreme, but the non-extreme options should balance each other out at least.

I think first one would have to establish the existence of such spaces in game.

Seconded, a bit of extra information could help. Adding a "... in one of the designated female-only parking spaces, which were introduced in a high-crime neighbourhood after a number of cases of assault on women" or such.

Consider this problem… [poses dramatically] addressed. I've explained what the spaces are, using your "high-crime neighbourhood" idea… hope you don't mind. I also added an option in favour of removing the spaces, so there’re two speakers going each way. As for the thing about extreme options… one of the things I'm consciously trying to do is provide options that are all flawed in some way. Beyond avoiding any "dismiss button" options, I'm trying to make it a bit more difficult for the player to decide.

[Australian rePublic]

See this suffers the same problems

Option 1. Wah, I don't want to park 2 feet away
Option 2. You're a man? Screw you!
Option 3. Let everyone park in the middle of the freeway!
Option 4. I get more parking spots than 50% of the population, wah! Wrong colour!

See the problem?

Here's what it should be
Option 1. Female parking spaces keep us safe
Option 2. Blokes also get assaulted, says male assault victim
Option 3. I get more parking spots than 50% of the population, wah! Wrong colour!

[Authoritaria-Imperia]

See this suffers the same problems

Option 1. Wah, I don't want to park 2 feet away
Option 2. You're a man? Screw you!
Option 3. Let everyone park in the middle of the freeway!
Option 4. I get more parking spots than 50% of the population, wah! Wrong colour!

See the problem?

Here's what it should be
Option 1. Female parking spaces keep us safe
Option 2. Blokes also get assaulted, says male assault victim
Option 3. I get more parking spots than 50% of the population, wah! Wrong colour!

Thanks for the feedback, but as of yet I'm not convinced this is still a problem. I'm going to wait for some other feedback before I make a big change like redoing all the options.

[Trotterdam]

How are female-only parking spaces supposed to make anyone safer?

The other nearby parking spaces, the sidewalks near the parking space, etc. are all still legally accessible to men. If I wanted to assault someone, I would do it there. Or just trespass on the female-only parking space, because if I'm already committing assault I probably don't care to much about following the law.

[Verdant Haven]

How are female-only parking spaces supposed to make anyone safer?

The other nearby parking spaces, the sidewalks near the parking space, etc. are all still legally accessible to men. If I wanted to assault someone, I would do it there. Or just trespass on the female-only parking space, because if I'm already committing assault I probably don't care to much about following the law.

The concept behind them (assuming you're asking about real world) is that by putting them close to the exit, you can provide a short, well-lit, properly surveilled route for a potentially more vulnerable demographic to get to their cars. A great deal of vulnerability comes from long walks in darkness and out of range of cameras or witnesses. Spots like these will not reduce targeted attacks, but have a strong dissuasive effect on attacks of opportunity, which many such assaults are. The perpetrators may not care about following the law, but that doesn't mean they want to get caught. They'll move on to easier targets.

Whether or not this demographic is best served by this, by some other consideration, or needs to be served at all is a separate discussion, but that's the principal at work. Some would call it considerate, some would call it paternalistic, and some will shriek that it is discrimination in and of itself. As the author and some other respondents advise us though, it apparently is a real thing in a number of places around the world.


For the author:

My feedback on the present draft would be this: why are the police involved in arresting somebody for a parking infraction at a shopping mall? The police aren't going to arrest you for incorrectly parking in an "Expectant mothers" spot or a "loading zone only" area - those aren't legally enforced. The fact that tickets can be issued (in the United States) for parking in the ADA spots is because those spots exist due to federal law.

In the case of your draft, there is no legal authority here. The mall designated a special parking zone, and at best can enforce that by calling a tow truck. This gets back to the issue of introducing this concept. Explaining why they exist (well done in the current draft) doesn't make it national law - that would have to be its own issue. I think it would be better to say that the CEO's fancy car got towed and maybe damaged, and now the windbag is trying to sue to have such spots outlawed, or something similar (work around various legal validities here - capitalism, courts, etc).

[Australian rePublic]

How are female-only parking spaces supposed to make anyone safer?

The other nearby parking spaces, the sidewalks near the parking space, etc. are all still legally accessible to men. If I wanted to assault someone, I would do it there. Or just trespass on the female-only parking space, because if I'm already committing assault I probably don't care to much about following the law.

The concept behind them (assuming you're asking about real world) is that by putting them close to the exit, you can provide a short, well-lit, properly surveilled route for a potentially more vulnerable demographic to get to their cars. A great deal of vulnerability comes from long walks in darkness and out of range of cameras or witnesses. Spots like these will not reduce targeted attacks, but have a strong dissuasive effect on attacks of opportunity, which many such assaults are. The perpetrators may not care about following the law, but that doesn't mean they want to get caught. They'll move on to easier targets.

Whether or not this demographic is best served by this, by some other consideration, or needs to be served at all is a separate discussion, but that's the principal at work. Some would call it considerate, some would call it paternalistic, and some will shriek that it is discrimination in and of itself. As the author and some other respondents advise us though, it apparently is a real thing in a number of places around the world.

I call it misandrist. And this issue is still one-sided and bias AF.

For the author:

My feedback on the present draft would be this: why are the police involved in arresting somebody for a parking infraction at a shopping mall? The police aren't going to arrest you for incorrectly parking in an "Expectant mothers" spot or a "loading zone only" area - those aren't legally enforced. The fact that tickets can be issued (in the United States) for parking in the ADA spots is because those spots exist due to federal law.

In the case of your draft, there is no legal authority here. The mall designated a special parking zone, and at best can enforce that by calling a tow truck. This gets back to the issue of introducing this concept. Explaining why they exist (well done in the current draft) doesn't make it national law - that would have to be its own issue. I think it would be better to say that the CEO's fancy car got towed and maybe damaged, and now the windbag is trying to sue to have such spots outlawed, or something similar (work around various legal validities here - capitalism, courts, etc).

Having seen my own father unjustly dragged out of a sports stadium by security guard misconduct, whilst the police came as close as they could to rolling their eyes and to appologising as they could whilst retaining their professionality and not actually admiting that the security guard was in the wrong, whilst the stadium appologised to us (my family and I) and handled the situation very well after we threatened to sue. I also have a different family member who used to work as a security guard and told me his power was quite restricted because there were too many dickhead security running around. And I know a DJ who works at night clubs and has much experience with dickhead security guards. It could have just been a dickhead security guard who abused his power.

Alternatively, the guy could have written a letter to leader to complain

[Eotenses]

Some title ideas for your troubles. Not great, some of them seem a little unintentionally misogynistic, but I'm doing the best I can here lol

1. Parallel Rights Parking
2. Safe Stations for Shopping Sheilas
3. Pink's Parking Plaza
4. Femme Fatale Fast-lane
5. Detour Ahead
6. Maidens of the Meter
7. Ladies First
8. Vehicular Vestals (this should be the name of a motorbike gang for attack lesbians. someone make it happen)
9. Parking for (Patty, Patricia, Penelope, Phoebe, Priscilla, Poppy...)
10. Princess Parking

[East Priapistan]

I'm inclined to agree with this. Nice and relevant issue, but the options aren't exactly well-balanced. Splitting the first issue into two could make it a bit more even, perhaps: there's the first part, which is "we don't want discrimination, even if it's positive discrimination" - which is a valid position to take - but since it's being combined with "screw disabled people while we're at it", the valid position is being pulled into an extreme. The options are either being pro-discrimination (valid position to take), or being an asshole, basically Nothing wrong with an option being an extreme, but the non-extreme options should balance each other out at least.

Consider this problem… [poses dramatically] addressed. I've explained what the spaces are, using your "high-crime neighbourhood" idea… hope you don't mind. I also added an option in favour of removing the spaces, so there’re two speakers going each way. As for the thing about extreme options… one of the things I'm consciously trying to do is provide options that are all flawed in some way. Beyond avoiding any "dismiss button" options, I'm trying to make it a bit more difficult for the player to decide.

The last part is indeed better - at least the description now makes the situation clear for those who are lucky enough not to live in places where those parking spots already exist.

The options are still rather unbalanced, though; the improvement is that they are all crazy in a way. Still, some things I'm unsure of:

A mall in a high-crime neighbourhood recently implemented safer, female-only parking spaces in its garage, offering extra lighting and a short exit path. After rich company-CEO @@RANDOMMALEFIRSTNAME@@ @@RANDOMLASTNAME_1@@ was arrested for using one himself, they’ve hit the headlines.

As Verdant Haven remarked, I doubt police would bother with something as minor as parking in a wrongly designated spot. Maybe something like "After rich company-CEO @@RANDOMMALEFIRSTNAME@@ @@RANDOMLASTNAME_1@@'s fancy Aston Ferraghini was towed away for parking in such a spot himself, the discussion about female-only parking spots hit the headlines again" would make it more credible.

Option 1:
"There were no spaces left — what was I meant to do?" exclaims Mr. @@RANDOMLASTNAME_1, "I don't care if women are safer this way — this is sexist. Assault schmault — I believe that everyone should be given an equal opportunity in this country, regardless of piddly things like gender or inheritance size! Get rid of these spaces, and ditch those wheelchair-accessible ones while you're at it — if you're that disabled, you shouldn't be driving anyway!"
Effect: women often carry shields to parking garages

Still has the asshole-factor. But from what I read, this is intentional.

Option 2:
“For ages, parking hasn’t been going anywhere, but these new spaces will make safety a walk in the park!“ interjects black-clad @@RANDOMMALENAME@@, after rising slowly from a hiding place behind your desk, "If anything, we need MORE of them! @@LEADER@@, I believe we should mark half of all public parking — nah, 70% — as female-only. It's the best way to keep @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ women safe from those creeps hiding in the shadows!" He disappears behind your desk again.
Effect: desperate men have been known to leave their cars in the middle of the street

Not sure what you mean to say by "For ages, parking hasn’t been going anywhere", and the general message is a strange one to get from a dude in black that pops up from under your desk.

Idea for an alternative effect line: "@@DEMONYM@@ men grow massive muscly legs from walking the 17.2 kilometers to the nearest allowed parking space"

Option 3:
“I’m all for public safety, but we need to back up — this is an infringement on our civil rights!” points out activist @@RANDOMNAME@@, “I’m tyred of all this control — why should the government decide where people can park? And come to think of it, why does it get to regulate parking at all? Double-parking does drive me insane, but it’s not the government’s business. Give us some space with our spaces, and stay in your lane, @@LEADER@@!”
Effect: parking spots are interpreted as “suggestions”

s/tyred/tired/ I would simplify this one a bit, it contains some redundant parts ("why should the government decide where people can park" is basically the same as "why does it get to regulate parking at all"). Also, if double-parking drives the person insane, they wouldn't be protesting to make it worse, would they?

Option 4:
"Has no one else noticed the real problem here?" asks feminist @@RANDOMFEMALENAME@@, scowling, "Those female spaces are PINK. Why are we indoctrinating young girls with the notion that colour is so important? You don't see regular spaces painted baby blue. Keep female-only spaces, but mark them differently, and crack down on toy colouring for young girls — THAT's where all the trouble starts. No pink, no exceptions!"
Effect: "politically correct" toys only come in brown and beige

I love crazy options. Sometimes I choose those even if the other ones make more sense.

[Candlewhisper Archive]

The core premise here is strong, as evidenced by the emotional responses it has evoked.

However I'd agree that the execution is a little poor in the options, with every reasonable sounding approach adding a "gotcha" to make it less appealing.

I'd suggest trying to structure it more as:

1) reasonable approach - like "this is a good idea, let's roll it out in government-owned and public car parks to encourage it"
2) opposite but still reasonable approach - like "this is active sex discrimination, and should be treated as such under the law"
3) almost reasonable impractical approach - like "in fact, lets make all car parks divided into male and female halves, with separate entrances".
4) crazy ass funny idea.

[Australian rePublic]

The core premise here is strong, as evidenced by the emotional responses it has evoked.

However I'd agree that the execution is a little poor in the options, with every reasonable sounding approach adding a "gotcha" to make it less appealing.

I'd suggest trying to structure it more as:

1) reasonable approach - like "this is a good idea, let's roll it out in government-owned and public car parks to encourage it"
2) opposite but still reasonable approach - like "this is active sex discrimination, and should be treated as such under the law"
3) almost reasonable impractical approach - like "in fact, lets make all car parks divided into male and female halves, with separate entrances".
4) crazy ass funny idea.

Option 3 can have an effect line about newly wed couples being unable to find a parking spot. Or about women only gyms dedicating half their spots to men, or something like that