[zeugma]

As a man, I am not allowed to interact with children who are not my own. I can’t say hello to them, I can barely even make eye contact with them without having some overprotective mother think their child is in danger and usher them away while giving me dirty or worried looks.

And that has been instilled in a couple of generations of children (and parents now)

I believe this is by design, and I too find it to be extraordinarily evil and destructive. The entire "stranger danger" drumbeat hurts my heart, because children are our most precious gift from God, and we should all do what we can to make kids feel safe, happy, and loved, even if we don't know them well.

[rlmorel]

I think that institutionalized and approved distrust is sad, and incredibly corrosive to our society.

Thanks for responding on this. Sometimes, I feel that I am the only one who sees it that way. So, thanks.