Stupid Guest Tricks

If I may?

I have done no real research into this, so I'm not sure if there has been an actual increase in cases of kidnappings in recent years, or just an increase in perception.

Even if the actual number of cases hasn't gone up, that doesn't mean in increased awareness of the problem is a bad thing. When folks used to leave kids to play at a local amusement park, were they really safer back in the "good old days", or did we just feel they were?

The right way, in my opinion, to react to this apparent increase in need to watch out for our children isn't so much looking out for the "suspicious stranger", as to be aware of where our children are and our surroundings.

Any other thoughts?

I think that the best tactic is to educate our children, and prepare them to yell, kick, run away, AND TELL if they are approached by anyone. Pedophiles purposely choose kids they think will be easy victims. This training also would do well in the case that the molester is a Family Member or Friend (most of the time it is). Paranoia is not good, but the fact is that they ARE out there, and we need to warn our kids on what to do, while still teaching them be independent.

If I remember correctly, Penn & Teller did cite research that it's more of an increase in perception rather than a dramatic increase in actual cases. They had a woman on there who runs a website called Free Range Kids. She advocates independence to an extreme. I don't think I'd go that far...I think there has to be a balance between teaching independence and teaching kids how to be safe from "stranger danger." And that goes for knowing what is appropriate for people they know, too, since so many molestations are the work of people they already know vs. an actual stranger.

Syndrome wrote:If I remember correctly, Penn & Teller did cite research that it's more of an increase in perception rather than a dramatic increase in actual cases. They had a woman on there who runs a website called Free Range Kids. She advocates independence to an extreme. I don't think I'd go that far...I think there has to be a balance between teaching independence and teaching kids how to be safe from "stranger danger." And that goes for knowing what is appropriate for people they know, too, since so many molestations are the work of people they already know vs. an actual stranger.

Parenting advice from Pen & Teller ?? What is the world coming to ?

delsdad wrote:Parenting advice from Pen & Teller ?? What is the world coming to ?

Their show "Bullshit" is a total riot. They did one other one on parenting in which they showed how people with new babies will buy anything if they are told it will make them better parents. They paid big bucks to dress up and act like babies in a class they didn't know was fake. The one on bottled water is even better. Their views are very biased and they do stretch the facts to back their point (they actually retracted part of their secondhand smoke show after using false data to "prove" it is not harmful), but it's a hilarious show if you don't take it too seriously.

Where can I see this Penn & Tell show?

That's Pen and Teller.

8^)

Syndrome wrote:Their show "Bullshit" is a total riot. They did one other one on parenting in which they showed how people with new babies will buy anything if they are told it will make them better parents. They paid big bucks to dress up and act like babies in a class they didn't know was fake. The one on bottled water is even better. Their views are very biased and they do stretch the facts to back their point (they actually retracted part of their secondhand smoke show after using false data to "prove" it is not harmful), but it's a hilarious show if you don't take it too seriously.

That show is hilarious, I love it. I think one of my all time favorites is the environmental one where they're at an environmental rally and get people to sign a petition to ban DHMO. It's awesome.

Nothing like a good old fashioned Di-hydrogen Monoxide scare eh?

X^D

Tinker Bell wrote:Where can I see this Penn & Tell show?

youtube,your source for damn near everything.