Recently I received an email from someone who thought I’d be interested in reading and sharing her latest blog post with my readers. To be honest, I was shocked she assumed I would consider her blog deserving! Anyone who reads my blog on a regular basis or knows anything about my business is aware I’m passionate about helmet safety. In contrast, she implies helmets are unnecessary. Here is a quick synopsis of her article:
She feels today’s parents are overly protective. She uses the argument that if we survived childhood without these products/pampering etc., our kids will be just fine without them too. In particular, she lists the following 10 examples of how we are “bubble wrapping” our children:
- Car Safety Belts
- Safety Helmets
- School Principals are no longer allowed to spank students. Her blog suggests stricter discipline in the schools taught students respect for teachers etc.
- “Participation” trophies in sports aren’t allowing our children to understand the difference between winning and losing. (She might actually have a good point there.)
- Kids are punished if they get in to fights. She advocates kids should settle their own disputes without parent interference even if this means settling their own arguments with their fists.
- Parents are no longer able to hit their kids to teach them right and wrong. She seems to glorify the day when parents kept their children in line through force.
- She claims kneepads, elbow pads and wrist guards are further examples of how we are overly protecting our kids.
- Parents hover over their kids in the playgrounds etc. She feels parents are overly concerned about someone kidnapping their kid.
- Teachers are afraid to fail kids who don’t meet the grade expectations. (Again, I think there is some validity to this point.)
- Parents drive their children everywhere instead of letting them ride bikes to school or to a friend’s house for a play-date.
My response:
- Should we stop telling our kids to use condoms as well because “safe sex” is being overly protective?
- Should mothers leave their babies in their strollers outside in the fresh air outside the grocery store while they shop?
- Should we allow cigarette manufacturers to promote smoking to young people again?
- Are work place safety regulations overly protective and, therefore, they should be abolished?
- Are we being overcautious when we screen all passengers before they board a flight?
I personally feel the message conveyed by the group of people who claim “if we survived as kids, then it’s good enough for our kids” is DANGEROUS. Hopefully we’ve learned a few things in the past 50 years and there’s no point in winding back the clock on progress. What do you think?
Related posts:
It’s called evolution! We learn from our mistakes, make corrections and move forward.
How many kids lives are saved because their parents use a car seat, install it properly and use it properly??? LOTS! How many kids are saved from going to the hospital (or even death) because their wear a helmet when riding their bikes, scooters or toboggans?? LOTS!
Just because we happened to survive this far, doesn’t mean that we can’t make life better and safer for our kids. I don’t see how trying to keep my kids in one piece is being over protective.
Dear Wendy,
What’s scary to me is the author of the post runs a popular blog site and she’s providing irresponsible information to parents! Some people will be gullible enough to listen to her. Makes me feel as if the rest of us have to shout even louder to make the “Play It Safe” message heard!
Thanks for your comment.
Sincerely,
Karyn
Like anything else, safety can be over done. Like everything else, we learn, improve and apply new rules for overall betterment. Someone needs to get with the times.
R
Our kids will probably think our generation was being too lenient regarding safety rules. To reverse the trend and become more lax would be irresponsible.
Some attitudes are pretty scary.
We know more now. We are better educated about risks and consequences and prevention. If we can take action to save lives and prevent injury, it is our responsibility to do so.
Couldn’t agree more Pam! What scares me is this person is in a position to influence people who are gullible.
I think there are things we have changed because we now know better (bike helmets, car seats).
There are other things we have changed because of irrational fears about things that are highly unlikely (e.g. Not letting kids walk anywhere on their own, constantly hovering over them).
There are other things that we should change, but haven’t, because of corporate interests (still allowing so many toxic products).
So true Annie! Our awareness regarding safety issues has improved but, in some instances, fear overtakes logic. That’s why education is SO important.
The problem with her overriding argument, the “we didn’t have these protections and we survived” one is just this: the people who didn’t survive aren’t here to explain how their lives might have been saved by a car seat.
You nailed it! Thanks for visiting my blog site and posting a comment.
Some people are not receptive to change.
What was good for me growing up in 1980 with no seatbelts resulted in a car wreck that put my face into the dashboard.
I don’t understand how someone could blatantly ignore the major improvements in safety.
I pray that this person isn’t letting her kid run around with scissors because that’s what she did growing up…jeesh.
Thank goodness you lived to talk about the time when your face hit the dashboard. Some of the people who didn’t wear safety belts aren’t around to tell their story. Crazy that in this day and age there are still so many naysayers!
Yikes! Talk about people with blinders on! I raised four girls and now have four granddaughters. I am so glad that we have the sense and the means to protect the little ones as much as we do. They are precious. I am know that in my almost 60 (am I that old!!!) years of life, I have had too many personal experiences with children dying or being permanently damaged for lack of seat belts, helmets, car seats, and/or parental guidance.
Please know that you provide a great service with your product and your blog. We must protect and nurture our “natural” resources…Children are our greatest!
Thank you so much Linda! I will continue to blog and try to educate people regarding safety issues despite the naysayers out there. Your support means so much to me!
Best regards,
Karyn
Wow. I’m absolutely speechless.
The controversy just makes me more determined to spread the word re: helmet safetyl
I agree with Simplelogic! We survivors owe it to those that weren’t so fortunate to prevent future tragedies and needless injuries by learning to better protect our kids. It’s obvious she’s never spent a Saturday night at an inner city Emergency department!
I think they should make high school students visit the rehab hospitals where people are recovering from head injuries. That will be a real wake-up call!
Karyn, life is often a grayscale. A black-and-white approach is not always appropriate. I think it was good of your unnamed reader to try to reach out and start a dialog. I assume your opinions are based on facts and discussions, so maybe some more facts and discussions might not be a bad thing.
I agree Erik and I welcome discussion but sometimes certain messages are dangerous. In my post, I certainly acknowledged the issues she raised which deserved merit. Thanks for visiting my site and commenting.