Duplex - Trouble with the Neighbor

His argument is that if you replace the disturbing children with people with black skin, it would be racism.

But "disturbing children" achieve their effect through an activity, not through their appearance. That is not just flawed, it is not even a comparison.

Again: there is a framework, albeit not a clearly defined one, within which the activities of children must be tolerated, even if they are perceived as disturbing. They are louder than adults. They are allowed to be that way.

But constantly screaming children in the highest dB range, shrugged off as "natural" behavior simply burdening the environment, shows poor judgment about what is acceptable in social interaction and what is not. It lies outside the aforementioned framework and cannot, because of its effect on others, be taken off the table as a parenting style that is supposedly a private matter.

The argument that only those with their own children can have a say is a cheap trump card. I don't have to do the work myself to judge the quality of the mere work result. Without being a carpenter, I recognize a bad cabinet. Without growing fruit, I can judge the quality of apples. And without having raised my own children, I can distinguish well-behaved children of others from less well-behaved ones and assess whether children's behavior is acceptable or not. When someone screams often, I hear that with my ears, not with my own children.
Whether their own parents would agree with me plays the smallest role, because, pardon me for having to say this: No one is less objective in judging a child than their own parents. I can state that with 100% certainty after long caregiving experience. And it is certainly arranged that way by nature for a good reason, so no reproach, just an observation.

But "disturbing children" achieve their effect through an activity, not through their appearance. That not only falters, it is not even a comparison.

Again: There is a framework, although not clearly defined, in which the activities of children must be tolerated, even if they are perceived as disturbing. They are louder than adults. They are allowed to be that way.

But constantly noisy shouting of one's own children in the highest dB range, shrugging it off as "species-appropriate" behavior simply imposed on others, speaks of poor judgment about what is acceptable in social coexistence and what is no longer acceptable. It lies outside the aforementioned framework and cannot, due to its effect on others, simply be removed from discussion as a parenting style that is supposed to be a private matter.

That one can only have a say if one has one’s own children is a cheap killer argument. I do not have to perform tasks myself to judge the quality of the mere work result. Without being a carpenter, I recognize a bad cabinet. Without growing fruit, I can judge the quality of apples. And without having raised my own children, I can distinguish well-behaved children of others from less well-behaved ones and evaluate children's behavior as acceptable or not. If someone cries often, I hear that with my ears, not with my own children. Whether their own parents would agree with me plays the smallest role, because, pardon me for saying this: No one is less objective in judgment towards a child than the child's own parents. I can say that with 100% certainty after many years of caregiver activity. And nature has certainly arranged it this way for good reason, so no accusation, just a statement.

Chapeau!!!! Great how you wrote that❤

That's really nice coming from you as the thread starter, since I - unfortunately often when I speak up - actually drift completely off topic again. But with some topics, I just can't help myself. Just let me know briefly as soon as it’s disturbing.