X-Post // So a little boy around age ten walked up to me while I was kicking the ball around...

QuickBASIC · 2011-03-26T01:22:14+00:00

It's the fear mongering media. Kudos for her for not buying the hype and allowing herself to believe that there are other human beings that are not out to get her or her kids.

AnnArchist · 2011-03-26T03:34:15+00:00

I'd have probably told him to get permission from his mother first.

Frito_Pendejo · 2011-03-26T05:04:45+00:00

Not entirely related, but how's the male teaching thing working out? I'm entering university next year and I'm pretty keen on becoming a HS teacher, but I'm not sure how people will react to me, at least in such a female-driven occupation.

2011-03-26T10:04:01+00:00

If a kid I don't know comes over to me and is friendly I make an effort to reciprocate. I'm not going to let my fear of paedophobic parents prevent me from being a positive male role model. I firmly believe in showing respect to children as they learn by example and I think a large part of the reason a lot of kids these days are jerks is because when they try to reach out they get rejected.

It's not backfired so far but what's the worst that can happen? A dirty look and maybe some abusive language? I'll risk that rather than crushing a kid's attempt to make friends.

crazyex · 2011-03-26T18:27:24+00:00

I was just at the park yesterday with my kids. There's this one ride thing that I have to lift my girls up to ride. These two other kids were watching and wanted me to lift them up, too. They were about 6 and a boy and girl. I had to tell them I don't touch other peoples' kids. They were sad and wanted to know why and I had to tell them a lot of parents don't like strange men touching their children. They looked confused and asked why, and I didn't elaborate.

rumbaflexist · 2011-03-26T07:53:55+00:00

You did a good thing, but I recognize the nagging doubt in the back of my own mind.. However I refuse to conform to what fear-society has come to expect from men. If a kid approaches me, I talk to them as I would any other human, and if their parents come along I talk to them too.

If I see kids misbehaving in a serious manner, violence, bullying or littering - they get fucking told off, and I never hesitate to point this out to any parents ignoring their kids bad behaviour. Mostly the parents are responsive and understanding.

I truly think that by reinforcing a positive and open image to kids who are not your own chips away at the negative media-image of men as potential murderers, rapists and kidnappers. Most people are just nice, but a little insecure because they are bombarded with messages that the world is such a dangerous place.

2011-03-26T17:58:25+00:00

Kudos to both you and the mother for standing up to fear.

My brother-in-law recently confessed that he leaves public bathrooms if a child enters unattended. Apparently, he knows many men who do the same thing.

I was surprised at this, it never even occurred to me to do this.

ThrustVectoring · 2011-03-26T04:00:47+00:00

In a slightly off-topic note, what the boy did with a stranger is the safe kind of stranger interaction. Most people are decent, so if you approach someone at random they'll be a decent person.

Most people who approach little kids and offer them candy are NOT decent people, though, and those are the strangers you have to watch out for.

Dawsie · 2011-03-26T04:00:22+00:00

Confidence

Quazz · 2011-03-26T06:42:30+00:00

I feel the same way in public and for some reason children, especially very young ones always stare at me for some reason. It makes me feel uncomfortable as hell.

I'm lucky I don't look 'cool' so I don't get approached by older kids. :P

2011-03-26T10:51:37+00:00

I appreciate your doubts, but I would have done the same thing.

NotSoSober · 2011-03-27T07:00:35+00:00

Mother's have been primed by media to believe random strangers are a threat. Of course, reality tells us their family members are much more likely to abuse their kids.

Inadequate science education and a compliant public is to blame.

Of course, we shouldn't absolve media of their share of the blame... they allow and encourage stupid people's opinions by airing them...

People are ignorant and many are too stupid to operate simple machinery without requiring detailed instructions. For some reason, we've decided that's just fine.

Liverotto · 2011-03-27T04:04:36+00:00

What this feminist society has done to men is simply unbelievable.

Title	X-Post // So a little boy around age ten walked up to me while I was kicking the ball around...
Author	Seiesnalli
Upvotes	37
Comments	31
Date	March 26, 2011 1:03 AM UTC (15 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/gboa4/xpost_so_a_little_boy_around_age_ten_walked_up_to/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/x-post-so-a-little-boy-around-age-ten-walked-up-to.1041746 https://theredarchive.com/post/1041746

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