Politically Incorrect Parenting Presents 5 Ways to Keep Children Safe from Predators

David Horowitz's NewsReal Blog ^ | Rhonda Robinson

[Michael van der Galien]

Precisely when the phone call came, it’s been so long ago, I couldn’t honestly say. School hadn’t been in session long, and my oldest son was around 10 years old at the time.

There was a woman’s voice on the line; she identified herself only as a neighbor. She knew we had just moved to town. She knew I had a son. She also knew the name of my son’s new best friend–and his family’s secret.

Her voice was filled with concern, as she instructed me to not allow my son to play at this boy’s house, to never allow him to spend the night, and to only allow them to play together in our home. No explanations were given, just this firm admonition, and then she hung up.

I didn’t question her, or ask for details. The nature of the call made it clear this was not something she wanted to do, nor did she want to step outside of her bounds. Yet she was clearly concerned for my son.

When I talked to my boy about the situation, I too had to be careful what I said. I informed him of the new rules. There was nothing in his life for me to draw on to explain why. I didn’t want to give him information that was beyond his comprehension, but I had to give him what he needed to be safe.

He protested the unfairness of it all. He was sure I was making unfair judgments of his new friend; he probably chalked it up to another tactic to make his life hard.

Nonetheless, my rules stood and he complied. Life went on and new friendships were forged as the school year went on. As it always does, time has given us both a different perspective.

[Gondring]

I wonder if the actual evidence supports these ideas.

[The Great RJ]

I remember when my kids were small local fire departments distributed window decals to be put in the child’s bedroom window to help fire fighters to find them in case of fire. Scary thought after reading this.

[faucetman]

Sounds like a made up story to me.

[suthener]

I have a great suspicion of men who put themselves in positions of authority over children. Not doctors, necessarily, but a kindergarten teacher or male pediatric nurse just isn’t natural to me. Yes, definitely politically incorrect, but it’s based on experience and observations.

[Gondring]

I’m wondering if making your kid stand out is a good idea. The author admits that these are her own ideas, and I’m wondering if they are good ones.

[Roses0508]

After my divorce, when my children were small, mobile and very prone to investigate things, I dated a police officer. He told me the same thing - make your kids easy to spot and train them to be cautious of strangers, speak up loudly when they are uncertain and act out if they feel in danger. Those who would harm children depend on being able to take the child unnoticed. Even if someone snatches your child, others are more likely to remember something if there is a memory trigger - such as clothing, hairstyle, behavior, etc.

My kids hated, HATED that I dressed them alike, but when my son went walkabout at the state fair, everyone he passed remembered him. Kids can slip away or be enticed away in mere seconds. If your are dealing with an issue with one child, the other may disappear in that bit of time when your attention is focused elsewhere.

[momtothree]

This article reminds me of a situation when I was a little girl. The “Moms” in the neighborhood “knew” that there was something wrong with the father of a family. They didn’t know exactly what but their “mom” radars knew something wasn’t right. They all came to the conclusion that the children of that family could play at their home but their children could never play at THAT house. Some years later, the fifteen year old daughter became pregnant with either the Dad’s child or her oldest brother’s child. It all came out in the wash then. The daughters were removed from the family for one year and the baby was put up for adoption. I guess my point is trust your feelings and not the “facts”. Children are too precious to risk on proven facts. Just a thought.

[ASOC]

Loved the logo at the end of the piece

@ points

I would NEVER dress my children in red clothing if going to a public park, etc. Too gay... google Red Shirt day at Disneyland if you don’t - and it ain’t just at Disney.

Impress upon children the “one hand rule” If I reach out a hand I had better be able to touch you! Worked for my children and I noted my grandkids are trained the same.

[Marie]

My husband’s step-dad is a second grade teacher. He’s a good man who took the job position that was available when he moved to a new area. Over the years, parents and guardians have come to love him. He’s taught the “unteachable” and helped boys who came to him after years of abuse and neglect become healthy, educated, normal kids.

Sometimes it takes a man to teach a boy. As far as I’m concerned, there aren’t enough men working with kids.

My mom said something similar to what you expressed about two weeks ago. She said that it was abnormal for a man to cuddle his baby and check it’s diaper without being nagged.

I couldn’t disagree more. I think that society has made us so afraid of predatory men that we’ve put a wedge between fathers (and men in general) and children. We don’t want to leave our kids alone with strong men and we jump all over a guy who dares to discipline a child. (...and assume that a man who has the same instinct that we do to cuddle and protect a baby is “weird”.) As a result, we have a nation of wiggly little boys that can’t be handled by women. The result is a nation of drugged kids and a nation of men who are cool to children out of self-defense.

[sand lake bar]

At least 60% paranoia. And come on—you take an anonymous phone call as evidence of evil in a neighbor’s home? My daughter is 16 now and her mom and I refused to raise her in fear.