It reminds me of a show that was with Dr. Phil or 20/20 or something like that. They did a hidden camera test to see if kids would fall for child lures. All the parents warned their kids about strangers and thought for sure their kids wouldn't fall for the lures --- yet most of them did. I'm not suggesting Shawn fell for a lure. We don't know what happened to him. I'm just saying you can teach your kids all you want, but that is no guarantee they will act the way you predict. It is disheartening to see so many smug people blaming Shawn, but is also refreshing to see some many Freepers (most of whom I'm sure are moms) stand up to them.
I, also have seen experiements done, with children who were warned and warned by their parents what not to do, and what to do, when someone tries to lure them away...and almost every child, flunked the test...all of the parents were very confident before the test, that their child was so well informed, that they would never fall for any trick...if I remember correctly, it took no more than just a very few minutes for the children to be completely fooled, and they willingly walked away with complete strangers...
All of the parents involved in the test, were flabbergasted, that their child flunked the test...it was very revealing...
So your point is well taken...and I agree with it...you can teach your children all you want, that is still no guarantee that your child will react in the way, you want him to...
It is important to teach your children how to deal with these things, and teach them often...its just as important, that if your child fails to live up to your expectations, that you dont blame him for it, if something bad does happen...
I am not a mom, but certainly love kids. As an aunt of many and a teacher for 43 years I can tell you that what you said is so true. I know that teachers spend time teaching young children how to stay safe through "stranger danger" type programs with local police officers visiting classrooms to talk to kids about safety issues. Although these lessons included telling children to "tell someone they trust" about abuse, that isn't enough. Children need to know more about what to do or try to do if they are abused and/or kidnapped. Maybe now more of that kind of training will be done by parents and the schools. I was just so happy that the little girl from OK saw her chance to escape her kidnapper and acted!