While in the park the other day...

[matty2670]

The other day I was in the park with my kids, when a young lad came up to me and asked me to lift his younger brother up onto a swing. Do you know why I said no? I was worried that if I had lay my hands on the boy then his mother or father would suddenly have appeared and accused me of being a paedophile. In hindsight I think this is a really sad reflection on life today, and I got to thinking, did I overreact or would everyone else have done the same? (I'm a man, by the way, so does this make any difference?) I'd be interested to hear your comments!

[Pippa68]

You are right ~ it is terribly sad but I do understand your thoughts..

If it had been my child I probably wouldn't have thought anything of you helping him onto the swing ~ mainly because you were at the park with your kids (yes I know some paedophiles have kids themselves but you know where I am coming from)

[zara 4]

I agree,its so sad how things are these days,all innocence has gone it seems!

[Pippa68]

Cont:

it reminds me of when my husband was down at the beach with our kids ~ he saw a little boy crying and couldn't help but go up to him as he was in so much distress. The poor mite had lost his mum..hubby decided 'to hell with it' and held the boys hand and walked down the path, round the corner..low & behold there was mum. She was very grateful as she had started to panic.

[Pippa68]

Cont: again!

Hubby was pleased he had been the one to find the little boy ~ who knows who might have been lurking but in the great big scheme of things there are still more good people out there than bad. He wouldn't hesitate to do the same again as he knows he isn't a baddun!

Most parents know the difference between good & bad people..but I do see your point..unfortunately.

[rugeleyboy]

i totally agree with you, its a sad old life aint it!!

[Tha-Flash]

Yea, I think you made a wise decision.

My friend and me go to a park and it's past a primary school, he said to me recently that you feel like you aren't allowed to even look in that direction. And I agree with him because I feel like that also. People shouldn't have to feel like this.

[vicalncraig]

Pippa68,if most parents could tell the difference between a bad person and a good person, all our children would be safe. I feel this sweepng statement shows disregard for parents of children who have been hurt by family or friends.

[redcrx]

Its true that most people feel like that nowadays. I would and Im a mother.

My partner and i had to report a crime the other day near the firestation where he works. 2 of the young lads who were vandalising ran off and left one behind. he didnt know where he was staying (on holiday) and so whilst waiting for the police my partner asked the boy to come to the firestation with him. The boy followed us with no questions. We did it because it was safer for my partner to be near the other firefighters (they all have police checks so they can work with cadets, so does my partner) and didnt think until after all the fuss with police taking the boy home that the boy may well have walked off with anyone. Turns out he was only 6 and his cousins had left him to take the blame for the trouble.

[Pippa68]

vicalncraig ~ whatever!

My point has to be general, I'm afraid. I am sick & tired of this 'every stranger is a paedophile' mentality. I know it exists, and I also said I could see why people are reluctant to help children whether they need help at a playground or have lost sight of their parents.

Bad things do happen ~ I understand that totally as I am neither blind nor deaf..but it is still an unusual occurance and we must be able to teach our children to be safe without being paranoid. The media, although doing some very good work in exposing paedophiles in some localities, can take part of the blame for instilling this paranoia.

In no way, shape or form am I taking away the seriousness of these situations & know only too well what effect child abuse has on families.

[funkymoped]

unless the nipper was in obvious danger, i`de walk on by... sad world we live in !

[Catso]

It is sad things have come to this. As ABers above have related, this 'everyone's a paedophile' philosophy has probably resulted in more upset to kids, as now they don't get help from adults. I mean, if you came across a youngster, apparently alone, at the side of a busy road, crying, would you go and help them? Sad to say, most people probably wouldn't now. You don't know what you're letting yourself in for.

I remember when I was little, old folks (unrelated) came to the park playgound to watch the young 'uns playing. Were they paedophiles? I doubt it. You never see that now. And yes, I'm made to feel guilty if I watch the kids enjoying themselves. You have to hurry on by, don't you?

Pathetic, isn't it, when there's only 1 in xx thousand people who really is a paedo.

[dancealot13]

I would have to agree with Pippa68. We can't live our lives in fear, and we can't teach our kids to live in fear. I understand why you didn't help the boy, but I do think it's a little over- dramatic.

I teach dance, (Im a girl) and as most of us know..when you are learning how to dance the teachers often touch the students. Whether it's to stretch the kids out, or fix their positions. Anyway..in the back of my mind Im always watching myself and making sure I only touch the kids when it is absolutely necessary. But I think that's lousy that I even have to 'watch' myself because I don't want a parent to see me fixing her kids turn out,...and then sue me because of misconduct (or whatever).

[MaryDou]

It seems the only people nowadays who can't tell the difference between "ordinary" caring people and paedophiles are social workers