Predatory sex offenders who rape unattended children in public libraries is an aborration and VERY rare. We always need perspective.
That said, this is one of the biggest reasons I NEVER leave my children alone in public places, even though my children are 15, 12, 11, and 7 years old and I’ve taught them how to handle unwanted advances from adults. My children are all quite innocent and vulnerable, and until they could ward off an attacker, I am wholly responsible to keep them safe. We do buddy systems for all public bathrooms, and my youngest two boys always use the ladies’ room, accompanied by one of their older siblings. I don’t care WHAT other parents say to me either in comments or by their facial expressions. Being accused of being over-protective is a good thing in the world we live in.
Public schooled parents don’t have a clue what they’re risking, not just by sending them to schoool, but allowing overnights and dropping off children / teens at malls. It is impossible to reason with or argue with parents who are not tuned into their children, and who make everything else (career, relationships, entertainment) the priority.
Why is it a big mystery that children kill each other, that bullying is rampant in schools, and that so many children are suicidal or are vulernable to internet wackos? Are we brain damaged, or can’t we (as parents) connect the dots?
I know — this is old-fashioned to want to keep your children away from harm and the ways of the world. I can take the heat.....my children’s lives and souls are worth any heartache or criticism you can dish out.
When my kids were just toddlers, I was in the church nursery and we were talking about being being careful about who we leave our kids with.
There was a mother there who had been molested as a young girl and she told me to NEVER let anyone talk me out of being careful with my kids by accusing me of being over protective, that I should be that, and protect my kids from what she went through.
Her opinion is that you cannot be careful enough with kids, even in your own family (which was her situation- a cousin)
I always appreciated what she told me. I sure enough faced plenty of people who would blow off my concern about my kids and that lady's little talk always gave me the strength to stand my ground. There's nothing like hearing it from someone who has been there. Those who think you're over-protective never have.
Dontcha just love how everyone has an opinion on the best way for YOU to raise your own children? And they don't make suggestions, they TELL you.
I grew up in Hollywood Florida. Adam Walsh was kidnapped and murdered from the same Sears store my friends and I hung around. We checked out the same exact Nintendo game he played with. I was 17. It was a horrifying experience for our entire community. Pedophiles have always been around. There was a time when it was shameful to purchase porn, it was hidden in the store.
Now anything goes. It is accessible to ANYONE. It was bad then, but much worse now. The internet is a h@#$ hole. My kids have it bad. I won’t let them out of my sight. If they need too much freedom, then they must be doing something wrong anyway.