Play it safe. (458 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 0.96 on 19 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by 8 bit hero (View user info) at 2008-04-14 18:29:00 EDT
Paranoid introverts.
We are creating entire generations of paranoid introverts.
See, it wasn't that long ago that we, as a nation, were fine with the idea of allowing our children to *gasp* go outside alone. Before the invention of cell phones for kids with GPS locators (http://www.guardianangeltech.com/), nobody would bat an eye if they didn't hear from their children for a few hours while the explored they endless reaches of their imagination in a forest with a few friends.
No more, however.
Thanks to the likes of Chris Hansen the average American is utterly convinced that a child molester or kidnapper lay in wait in every bush for a lone child. Unconstitutional laws are passed to protect children from such "predators" (Sex Offender Registry). In fact, just that we have dubbed those that commit crimes against children as "predators" says something about the American psyche. It conjures visions of sweating, drooling undesirables wringing their hands menacingly from the shadows dreaming of the day they get their claws into little Johnny or Jane.
In reality, just 3-5% of child molesters are strangers.
That's right America, 97-95% of the children molested in this country are done so by friends and family. So, that shadowy figure just might be your husband/wife, sister/brother, aunt/uncle, or...well, you get the picture.
So, while your child has the GPS phone it won't help when they are with somebody you "trust".
Now don't get me wrong, I am by no means trying to get you to lock up your child until they go off to college. I am trying to get you to understand something.
Bad things happen.
Does this mean that your children should miss out on the freedom they should be granted to explore and play? It's not like this is a new phenomenon. Child molestation, kidnapping, and murder didn't just spring up in 1991; it has just become more prevalent recently because "journalists" have discovered that the public pay attention to these news stories. That leads to products for child safety being invented, which get air time, which remind you that bad things happen, which make you paranoid beyond reason.
For Pete's sake people, you use leashes for your children. Leashes! You are treating your kids like dogs in the guise of safety. I have seen parents tie their kids to benches while they went to the bathroom, as if this is a huge deterrent to a would-be kidnapper. A knot and some Velcro. Don't even get me started on what this must do to the emotion state of that child; being treated like Fido.
Stop watching television.
User Reviews
Submitted by rorrim (user info) at 2008-04-17 15:20:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2008-04-15 15:35:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
just kidding.
bell-end.
Submitted by MudWhistle (user info) at 2008-04-15 12:04:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
yeah...good stuff here
Submitted by monkeyswithguns (user info) at 2008-04-15 11:38:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by shadow (user info) at 2008-04-15 11:11:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
True.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2008-04-15 06:04:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You're right of course btw.
Submitted by 8bithero (user info) at 2008-04-15 05:56:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by X54 (user info) at 2008-04-15 00:49:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I agree that we're obsessed with safety. But I think you should have backed up your claim that sex offender registries are unconstitutional. Why are they? Because only 3 to 5 percent of child molesters are strangers? That's hardly a convincing argument. It may be tangential to your main point, but if you're going to put it in you should back it up.
======
Cruel and UNUSUAL punishment.
See, every other criminal, once they leave prison, are seen to have paid their debt to society. Not the sex offender, though. They are monitored like livestock, herded and rounded up at Halloween, and embarrassed for the remainder of their life.
Murders, on the other hand, may roam free.
And the fact that you just need to be ACCUSED of a sexual assault is enough to have you put on the registry for 7 years. Even if the case is unfounded.
Innocent until proven guilty indeed.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2008-04-15 04:48:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Extroverts are rubbish. Teary sex with introverts is the best.
Submitted by BeforeEmily (user info) at 2008-04-15 01:24:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
http://www.gabbly.com/www.ubersite.com/
Submitted by X54 (user info) at 2008-04-15 00:49:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I agree that we're obsessed with safety. But I think you should have backed up your claim that sex offender registries are unconstitutional. Why are they? Because only 3 to 5 percent of child molesters are strangers? That's hardly a convincing argument. It may be tangential to your main point, but if you're going to put it in you should back it up.
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2008-04-14 21:15:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I don't watch TV or much TV news, but I couldn't let my kids wander somewhere for HOURS without any contact...they can at least have the courtesy to text me every hour of so if they're gonna be out.
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2008-04-14 19:28:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm changing my rating.
What can I say, I'm fickle.
I still likes TV though, bitch.
Submitted by spyder882001 (user info) at 2008-04-14 19:13:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I ran wherever I wanted as a child.
my closest neighbor was a mile away.
Submitted by skrapmetal (user info) at 2008-04-14 18:53:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Can't be sure of your facts, but I do like your sentiment. Especially the "Stop watching television." bit. No one ever went crazy from not watching TV.
Submitted by Ltap (user info) at 2008-04-14 18:52:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2008-04-14 18:52:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
this was a well thought out argument, well presented and convincing.
Thanks.
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2008-04-14 18:49:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
I think it's reasonably safe to leave this -2 here and never return to this shitty post.
Submitted by adamleathertramp (user info) at 2008-04-14 18:34:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
"In reality, just 3-5% of child molesters are strangers."
At least 1% of that 3-5% lurks on this website.
I agree with your post. It used to be that you went out to play before breakfast, came back at noon for lunch and were home again for supper. If you got molested/kidnapped it was your own damn fault.
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2008-04-14 18:33:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
But... but...
I like TV.
Safety IS good, though. Thanks for the tip.