Pregnant Women Should Not Be Deprived Of Alcohol In New York Bars, Advisory Tells Owners

New York City Human Rights Commission Michael Sinensky Dan Warren West 3rd Common

By Nens Mitchell , Parent Herald May 08, 01:46 am

Pregnant women should not be stopped from drinking inside bars, a New York City advisory reminded owners. These business establishments are, however, encouraged to warn pregnant women about the dangers that alcohol can bring to a child.

According to Independent, bar owners are advised not to stop pregnant women from drinking with the city saying that they should be allowed to decide for themselves. "Judgments and stereotypes about how pregnant individuals should behave, their physical capabilities and what is or is not healthy for a fetus are pervasive in our society and cannot be used as pretext for unlawful discriminatory decisions" read the statement of the city's Human Rights Commission.

Officials of New York City noted of an incident where a woman was barred from entering a club recently. They, however, refused to give further details of what happened or what business establishment was involved.

ABC News added that treating pregnant women inside bars has long been debated in the country. It was noted that pregnant women who use drugs receive preferential treatment than those only wanting to drink a bottle of beer.

New York bars will no longer be able to ban pregnant women from drinking alcohol https://t.co/hUpQVMDQpQ

— The Independent (@Independent) May 6, 2016

Reactions from bar owners regarding this advisory differed. New York City businessman Michael Sinensky said he would not lecture his staff about giving drinks to expecting mothers.

On the other hand, West 3rd Common bar owner Dan Warren believes that pregnant women should be responsible enough. "I'd probably be tempted to say something," Warren said, if he notices that a pregnant woman is drinking more than what she should be consuming.

It was added in the Independent report that there was a plan two years to put up a bar exclusive for pregnant women. This, however, was said to be a mere prank and did not materialize.

Now that a new advisory had been released, bar owners are expected to allow pregnant women to drink inside their business establishments. It also reminds them to give considerations to pregnant employees.