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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Dusty on 10 September 2008, 20:11:22

Title: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Dusty on 10 September 2008, 20:11:22
Oh, Tut, tut, tut.......

Whatever next? I was watching the evening news and saw that Telford local council, has implemented a new stop and question for single people as to what they are doing in the park.

The reason they are doing it is to protect children, and I have nothing against that, whatsoever. But surely this will lead to innocent people feeling they cannot visit their local park, for fear of being stopped and questioned.

Surely we are pulling the heart out of society by such measures.

Now everyone is afraid to go anywhere where children might be. Mr Dusty once went for a walk, and spotted a child stuck up a tree. The little boy asked for his help, but Mr Dusty ignored his pleas and carried on. He felt he could not stop to help, incase people judged him wrongly. Instead he came home and asked me to come and help the young lad.

What is wrong with everybody, when we all have to watch our backs?

Another example was when Mr Dusty went to the swimming baths, went into the male changing rooms, but was told bluntly by 3 middle aged women that he could not come in until the (boys only) school party had left. Instead Mr Dusty left without having a swim, he was so upset.

Trouble is people see peodophiles everywhere as we know, yet statistics show that they are no more prevalent than they were 30, 50 or 100 years ago. And these are mostly, within the family anyway. :( :( :-* :-*
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: HolyCount on 10 September 2008, 21:05:22
It has got so bad that I feel uncomfortable taking my 2 year old to the park without his mum. If I am sat on a bench while he is off playing I get looked at most oddly by the mums nearby -- so I no longer go "unaccompanied" :-[
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Dusty on 10 September 2008, 21:29:00
Quote
It has got so bad that I feel uncomfortable taking my 2 year old to the park without his mum. If I am sat on a bench while he is off playing I get looked at most oddly by the mums nearby -- so I no longer go "unaccompanied" :-[
What a crazy world we live in  :( It fills me with sadness that we should have to feel this way :'( :-*
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Vamps on 10 September 2008, 21:30:56
Quote
Oh, Tut, tut, tut.......

Whatever next? I was watching the evening news and saw that Telford local council, has implemented a new stop and question for single people as to what they are doing in the park.

The reason they are doing it is to protect children, and I have nothing against that, whatsoever. But surely this will lead to innocent people feeling they cannot visit their local park, for fear of being stopped and questioned.

Surely we are pulling the heart out of society by such measures.

Now everyone is afraid to go anywhere where children might be. Mr Dusty once went for a walk, and spotted a child stuck up a tree. The little boy asked for his help, but Mr Dusty ignored his pleas and carried on. He felt he could not stop to help, incase people judged him wrongly. Instead he came home and asked me to come and help the young lad.

What is wrong with everybody, when we all have to watch our backs?

Another example was when Mr Dusty went to the swimming baths, went into the male changing rooms, but was told bluntly by 3 middle aged women that he could not come in until the (boys only) school party had left. Instead Mr Dusty left without having a swim, he was so upset.

Trouble is people see peodophiles everywhere as we know, yet statistics show that they are no more prevalent than they were 30, 50 or 100 years ago. And these are mostly, within the family anyway. :( :( :-* :-*
[/highlight]

Fully agree, As with all child abuse, in whatever form, it is my belief that the media have a lot to answer for.  :(
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Vamps on 10 September 2008, 21:32:54
Quote
It has got so bad that I feel uncomfortable taking my 2 year old to the park without his mum. If I am sat on a bench while he is off playing I get looked at most oddly by the mums nearby -- so I no longer go "unaccompanied" :-[

Sadly i understand what you mean, good idea to hold you child's coat or teddy whilst sat watching the children playing. :(
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: HerefordElite on 10 September 2008, 21:33:36
Quote
Quote
It has got so bad that I feel uncomfortable taking my 2 year old to the park without his mum. If I am sat on a bench while he is off playing I get looked at most oddly by the mums nearby -- so I no longer go "unaccompanied" :-[
What a crazy world we live in  :( It fills me with sadness that we should have to feel this way :'( :-*


it is very wrong and saddens me :'( i love my little girl more than any thing but sometimes even think to myself do this look wrong when i'm playing with her :-/ society has got a lot to amswer for :'(
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: albitz on 10 September 2008, 21:33:47
Just brand them on the forehead when caught,then the rest of us can carry on as normal.
then lock them in a room full of mums. :y
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Pete Elite on 10 September 2008, 21:37:23
  Just shoot all the peodophiles or at least do what albitz suggests, end of story >:( >:( >:(.
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: HerefordElite on 10 September 2008, 21:39:41
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 Just shoot all the peodophiles or at least do what albitz suggests, end of story >:( >:( >:(.

if my wife is anything to go by the room full of mums would be a better punishment  >:(
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: albitz on 10 September 2008, 21:41:42
Mine too. :y :y
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Vamps on 10 September 2008, 21:42:28
Most mum's I would have thought.
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Dave-C on 10 September 2008, 21:43:25
Heard this on Radio 2 today... what 'dangle berries'!  What about Myra Hindley, she wasn't a bloke....

We took our kids to a party at a swimming baths, we had to sign a disclaimer to take some piccys...

I'm sure I feel this way because I'm an innocent dad :y
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Entwood on 10 September 2008, 21:45:33
The majority of actual child molestations are by men actually known to the child, relatives or family "friends", percentage wise there are very few cases of "strangers in parks" doing anything.

This is a total over reaction and is more of the "Nanny State" syndrome where "councils know best" .. best thing to do is to throw them all out at the next election.
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Tony H on 10 September 2008, 21:56:53
It's a sad situation that we are in today, being made to feel guilty when we have nothing to be guilty about.
It brings to mind something that happened a couple of years ago. I was alone at work when I heard a noise in the car park followed by a child crying. I went to investigate and found a little boy of about seven had fallen off his bike onto the gravel. he had skinned his hand and it was dirty and bleeding. Without a second thought I helped him up and took him into the wash room cleaned and dressed his wound, checked his bike over and told him to go straight home. It only occurred to me a couple of hours later the potential situation that could have been perceived by anybody witnessing my actions, I actually had feelings of guilt. Thats got to be wrong, but that is the mindset that society has people in nowadays.
A couple of days later the little boys mum came around to my workplace to thank me for helping her son, which made me feel a lot better.
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: amigov6 on 10 September 2008, 22:07:53
It's a sad state of affairs & i don't blame him TBH. @ Lakes 07, i was watching the "world cup final" when a little lad 3 or 4 yrs old told me he could'nt see, i thought for a minute & picked him up so he could watch anyway as their were plenty of folk around. A photo was taken & posted as a names to faces for others to see & i was holding some one's son in said piccie. I think his elder sister was in the field as he asked if he could go in. I told him to take me to his Mum @ Dad & ask them which he did, all ok but throughout the whole episode i felt uneasy when i should'nt have done. Most of you know me now but that was early days. I'm a father myself & a godfather & an uncle so happily finished parenting now, but when a child shows an adult trust & the adult's reluctant to help, it's a crying shame.
    Out of interest, are the littl'un's parents still members, if so who are you?  Guy.
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Vamps on 10 September 2008, 22:11:17
Quote
It's a sad situation that we are in today, being made to feel guilty when we have nothing to be guilty about.
It brings to mind something that happened a couple of years ago. I was alone at work when I heard a noise in the car park followed by a child crying. I went to investigate and found a little boy of about seven had fallen off his bike onto the gravel. he had skinned his hand and it was dirty and bleeding. Without a second thought I helped him up and took him into the wash room cleaned and dressed his wound, checked his bike over and told him to go straight home. It only occurred to me a couple of hours later the potential situation that could have been perceived by anybody witnessing my actions, I actually had feelings of guilt. Thats got to be wrong, but that is the mindset that society has people in nowadays.
A couple of days later the little boys mum came around to my workplace to thank me for helping her son, which made me feel a lot better.

I often wonder what I would do in a similar situation :( shout for the nearest woman? call the police and tell them what I am doing, tis all very sad really.
we have to blame the Media though for this, hyping everything up and out or proportion... :(

And that is no guarantee of safety, a lot of woman involved in child abuse of all types.
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Richie London on 11 September 2008, 07:13:50
the pisshead who lives below me has teddy bears hanging from his door, sits outside watching the kids play, my son see him sitting on the park bench watching kids on climbing frames, ive also been told hes always hanging about the school in the morning. hes been reported but nothing can be done as he hasnt commited an offence. i have heard rumours about him so ive told my kids to ignore him if he says hello to them. and i  asked him politely a while ago not to speak to them or approach them.
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Dave-C on 11 September 2008, 07:22:47
We took my stepson to Telford on the play park next to the ice rink, Jill was heavily pregnant with Bradley, we decided to take some piccy's of Warren so that we could show them to Brad when he was old enough, a bonding thing!!  (Not Bondage) ;D  Anyway, there was a woman there with a little girl, it was cold by the way, so all of us were wrapped up warm, i.e. loads of clothing on! The said woman then decided that I was taking piccy's of her daughter, NOT the case, I was using a telephoto and quite close up too,  she then grabbed her daughter, called us perverts and as good as run off :-/

She'd simply read something in a news paper which had stuck in her mind, or maybe she'd had problems in her life herself...

We were astonished ::)

DC
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: sir moanalot on 11 September 2008, 07:49:32
it likes finding a kid in the high st crying cos they have lost their mum, do you take them somewhere and get accused of abduction or just leave them for your own protection? crazy country :-/
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: HolyCount on 11 September 2008, 08:01:07
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it likes finding a kid in the high st crying cos they have lost their mum, do you take them somewhere and get accused of abduction or just leave them for your own protection? crazy country :-/

That's the biggest dilemma -- we can't help a kid ( or anybody -- even adult, these days) in genuine distress for fear of becoming the target of whatever prejudices prevail.
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 11 September 2008, 12:26:23
Very sad really. My old dad told me that when he was a kid in the thirties there was an old chap who used to give all the kids in the street a gobstopper. It was all perfectly innocent and was seen as such by other adults.
Of course there are paedophiles out there ,just as there always has been.......but they are not EVERYWHERE....so we would do well to put the possible threat into some kind of perspective.
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Paulus on 11 September 2008, 13:41:59
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Just brand them on the forehead when caught,then the rest of us can carry on as normal.
then lock them in a room full of mums. :y

This sounds like a great idea. If only...
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Timbuk on 11 September 2008, 13:56:27
Quote
Oh, Tut, tut, tut.......

Whatever next? I was watching the evening news and saw that Telford local council, has implemented a new stop and question for single people as to what they are doing in the park.

The reason they are doing it is to protect children, and I have nothing against that, whatsoever. But surely this will lead to innocent people feeling they cannot visit their local park, for fear of being stopped and questioned.

Surely we are pulling the heart out of society by such measures.

Now everyone is afraid to go anywhere where children might be. Mr Dusty once went for a walk, and spotted a child stuck up a tree. The little boy asked for his help, but Mr Dusty ignored his pleas and carried on. He felt he could not stop to help, incase people judged him wrongly. Instead he came home and asked me to come and help the young lad.

What is wrong with everybody, when we all have to watch our backs?

Another example was when Mr Dusty went to the swimming baths, went into the male changing rooms, but was told bluntly by 3 middle aged women that he could not come in until the (boys only) school party had left. Instead Mr Dusty left without having a swim, he was so upset.

Trouble is people see peodophiles everywhere as we know, yet statistics show that they are no more prevalent than they were 30, 50 or 100 years ago. And these are mostly, within the family anyway. :( :( :-* :-*


I assume were talking Telford Town Park here? Its a bloody big place with lots going on usually, Wonderland, lots of plays areas and sometimes the fair. My kids are in that park on a regular basis so i welcome the news, in any case why on earth would a single adult want to be there in the first place?
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 11 September 2008, 13:58:24
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in any case why on earth would a single adult want to be there in the first place?

Not sure if this counts as alone, but I often stroll around the park when I'm walking my dogs?

I also sometimes walk through a park as a shortcut..

I guess the question being asked, is, how far do these laws go...
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Timbuk on 11 September 2008, 14:03:28
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Quote
in any case why on earth would a single adult want to be there in the first place?

Not sure if this counts as alone, but I often stroll around the park when I'm walking my dogs?

I also sometimes walk through a park as a shortcut..

I guess the question being asked, is, how far do these laws go...

No need to walk your dog anywhere near the play areas in that park, there are fields everywhere, i agree this is probably specific to this actual park as it is very big
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: ians on 11 September 2008, 14:05:09
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in any case why on earth would a single adult want to be there in the first place?

Not sure if this counts as alone, but I often stroll around the park when I'm walking my dogs?

I also sometimes walk through a park as a shortcut..

I guess the question being asked, is, how far do these laws go...

I'm with James - what is unusual about someone going for a walk on their own in the park?  (or is Telford park really a kids playground? - in that case I understand)
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Timbuk on 11 September 2008, 14:11:45
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Quote
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in any case why on earth would a single adult want to be there in the first place?

Not sure if this counts as alone, but I often stroll around the park when I'm walking my dogs?

I also sometimes walk through a park as a shortcut..

I guess the question being asked, is, how far do these laws go...

I'm with James - what is unusual about someone going for a walk on their own in the park?  (or is Telford park really a kids playground? - in that case I understand)

I totally agree, there is nothing wrong with taking your dog for a walk or even just strolling round a park, its not exactly against the law, but the play areas are in one specific place in that park and schools do run trips to Wonderland, as mentioned before there really isn't any need for a single adult to be in that particular place
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: HolyCount on 11 September 2008, 14:41:53
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Quote
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in any case why on earth would a single adult want to be there in the first place?

Not sure if this counts as alone, but I often stroll around the park when I'm walking my dogs?

I also sometimes walk through a park as a shortcut..

I guess the question being asked, is, how far do these laws go...

I'm with James - what is unusual about someone going for a walk on their own in the park?  (or is Telford park really a kids playground? - in that case I understand)

I totally agree, there is nothing wrong with taking your dog for a walk or even just strolling round a park, its not exactly against the law, but the play areas are in one specific place in that park and schools do run trips to Wonderland, as mentioned before there really isn't any need for a single adult to be in that particular place

The point oft made in this thread, though, is that, due to media hype and false perceptions, people who have every right and reason to be where they are feel guilty, or are looked on with suspicion these days.

That all said, even if it is a bit of overkill, if it was to protect the kids wellbeing, I would have no objection being stopped and POLITELY asked to say why I was there -- after all, if I am doing no wrong I have nothing to worry about ( and I know that is an idealistic view, and a totally different debate !). But, bottom line, I am all for protecting the kiddies, but sensibly!
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Entwood on 11 September 2008, 15:25:31
Odd turn in the last few posts sic "Why would a single adult be there"  ... are single adults now some form of pariah ?? Am I only allowed to leave the house accompanied now ?? why do I have to prove a "need" to be somewhere, walk somewhere ??... This is PC taking yet another turn for the worse ...

Surely a single adult has the right to go wherever 2 adults .. or 2 adults and a child .. or any other combination ... has the right to go ???

 :( :( :( :(
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: HolyCount on 11 September 2008, 15:27:55
Quote
Odd turn in the last few posts sic "Why would a single adult be there"  ... are single adults now some form of pariah ?? Am I only allowed to leave the house accompanied now ?? ... This is PC taking yet another turn for the worse ...

Surely a single adult has the right to go wherever 2 adults .. or 2 adults and a child .. or any other combination ... has the right to go ???

 :( :( :( :(

If we ALL remained in our houses from, say 6pm til 6am and anybody still outside without good reason between these hours is shot on site -- the world would be a much safer place  ::)

BTW -- I am not seriously suggesting this as an option !!!!
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Dusty on 11 September 2008, 15:37:07
Quote
Odd turn in the last few posts sic "Why would a single adult be there"  ... are single adults now some form of pariah ?? Am I only allowed to leave the house accompanied now ?? why do I have to prove a "need" to be somewhere, walk somewhere ??... This is PC taking yet another turn for the worse ...

Surely a single adult has the right to go wherever 2 adults .. or 2 adults and a child .. or any other combination ... has the right to go ???

 :( :( :( :(
Absolutely spot on. And what gives some glorified parky the right to make moral judgements about the type of person we are.
This thread has shades of the Tesco madness thread recently where people are making judgements about other people which have no basis in law. :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 11 September 2008, 16:20:48
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Odd turn in the last few posts sic "Why would a single adult be there"  ... are single adults now some form of pariah ??

Absolutely!

I often take a walk into town at lunch time, and I often sit in the park eating my chips / more healthy fodder as it's a nicer environment than sitting in front of my PC to while away my lunch hour.

I don't have kids. I do pay the Council well over 2 grand council tax a year and one of the few amenities I get in return is a park, as I understand it.

If they want to know what I'm doing visiting the park I've paid them to provide they will be told in no uncertain terms to Foxtrott Oscar and mind their own business. >:(

Kevin
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: HolyCount on 11 September 2008, 16:32:44
Trouble is though -- no-one can win.  If we want the freedom to do as we wish, unchallenged, then we have to accept that the wrong doers amongst us will also go unchallenged and basically get away with whatever they are up to.

We often ask the question, "Why were they allowed to do *whatever* without anyone asking what they were up to?" or "How could we (society) allow this to happen?" ......... because the freedom we cherish allows it .... so we have to live with it!
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Timbuk on 11 September 2008, 18:01:19
Quote
Trouble is though -- no-one can win.  If we want the freedom to do as we wish, unchallenged, then we have to accept that the wrong doers amongst us will also go unchallenged and basically get away with whatever they are up to.

We often ask the question, "Why were they allowed to do *whatever* without anyone asking what they were up to?" or "How could we (society) allow this to happen?" ......... because the freedom we cherish allows it .... so we have to live with it!


Thats it in a nut shell really, no one can win :-/ but if it makes the world a safer place for our kids then so be it ;)
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 11 September 2008, 18:50:38
Quote
Quote
Oh, Tut, tut, tut.......

Whatever next? I was watching the evening news and saw that Telford local council, has implemented a new stop and question for single people as to what they are doing in the park.

The reason they are doing it is to protect children, and I have nothing against that, whatsoever. But surely this will lead to innocent people feeling they cannot visit their local park, for fear of being stopped and questioned.

Surely we are pulling the heart out of society by such measures.

Now everyone is afraid to go anywhere where children might be. Mr Dusty once went for a walk, and spotted a child stuck up a tree. The little boy asked for his help, but Mr Dusty ignored his pleas and carried on. He felt he could not stop to help, incase people judged him wrongly. Instead he came home and asked me to come and help the young lad.

What is wrong with everybody, when we all have to watch our backs?

Another example was when Mr Dusty went to the swimming baths, went into the male changing rooms, but was told bluntly by 3 middle aged women that he could not come in until the (boys only) school party had left. Instead Mr Dusty left without having a swim, he was so upset.

Trouble is people see peodophiles everywhere as we know, yet statistics show that they are no more prevalent than they were 30, 50 or 100 years ago. And these are mostly, within the family anyway. :( :( :-* :-*


I assume were talking Telford Town Park here? Its a bloody big place with lots going on usually, Wonderland, lots of plays areas and sometimes the fair. My kids are in that park on a regular basis so i welcome the news, wanin any case why on earth would a single adult t to be there in the first place?
There could be a 1000 reasons and most of them perfectly innocent.
Single people should not be made to feel like they are doing something wrong just because they are alone.
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Dave-C on 11 September 2008, 18:58:01
Quote
Quote
Quote
Oh, Tut, tut, tut.......

Whatever next? I was watching the evening news and saw that Telford local council, has implemented a new stop and question for single people as to what they are doing in the park.

The reason they are doing it is to protect children, and I have nothing against that, whatsoever. But surely this will lead to innocent people feeling they cannot visit their local park, for fear of being stopped and questioned.

Surely we are pulling the heart out of society by such measures.

Now everyone is afraid to go anywhere where children might be. Mr Dusty once went for a walk, and spotted a child stuck up a tree. The little boy asked for his help, but Mr Dusty ignored his pleas and carried on. He felt he could not stop to help, incase people judged him wrongly. Instead he came home and asked me to come and help the young lad.

What is wrong with everybody, when we all have to watch our backs?

Another example was when Mr Dusty went to the swimming baths, went into the male changing rooms, but was told bluntly by 3 middle aged women that he could not come in until the (boys only) school party had left. Instead Mr Dusty left without having a swim, he was so upset.

Trouble is people see peodophiles everywhere as we know, yet statistics show that they are no more prevalent than they were 30, 50 or 100 years ago. And these are mostly, within the family anyway. :( :( :-* :-*


I assume were talking Telford Town Park here? Its a bloody big place with lots going on usually, Wonderland, lots of plays areas and sometimes the fair. My kids are in that park on a regular basis so i welcome the news, wanin any case why on earth would a single adult t to be there in the first place?
There could be a 1000 reasons and most of them perfectly innocent.
Single people should not be made to feel like they are doing something wrong just because they are alone.

Must be honest, sometimes I'll eat my dinner in my van in a local park, then I'll take a bit of a leg stretch around the football fields, in the summer there are kids about, I'm not interested in looking up their shorts...

I've got a pair of my own blue gym knickers :D :D :D

In a nut shell, "The only people who should feel guilty are the guilty people!"  >:(

DC
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Golfbuddy on 11 September 2008, 19:01:41
If you hog the zip wire, you should feel mighty guilty!!! Stick to the swings and everyone's happy.  :)
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Drewomega on 11 September 2008, 19:03:16
It is a well known fact that family or the church whichever denomination are more likely to abuse kids violently or sexually.
This council proposed law is absolutely ridiculous.
The UK imho have gone completely pc nuts . What next??  :-[
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 11 September 2008, 19:08:01
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Thats it in a nut shell really, no one can win :-/ but if it makes the world a safer place for our kids then so be it ;)

There's a tradeoff between being totally risk averse and having freedom though. When we were kids we were taught not to speak to strangers and left to it, and I think that's what I would want if I had my childhood again. Yes, there were the odd tragic consequences of there being some risk, but not an unacceptable level of risk, and not necessarily any more than is present today.

I for one wouldn't want to be brought up in a Police state that was free of risk, but then maybe my attitude would be different if I had kids of my own?  :-/

It's also infuriating that the bad guys can't be effectively controlled these days without inconveniencing everyone else just to show that somehting's happening, or more likely to meet government targets or some such nonsense.

Kevin

Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: HolyCount on 11 September 2008, 19:11:58
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Thats it in a nut shell really, no one can win :-/ but if it makes the world a safer place for our kids then so be it ;)

There's a tradeoff between being totally risk averse and having freedom though. When we were kids we were taught not to speak to strangers and left to it, and I think that's what I would want if I had my childhood again. Yes, there were the odd tragic consequences of there being some risk, but not an unacceptable level of risk, and not necessarily any more than is present today.
I for one wouldn't want to be brought up in a Police state that was free of risk, but then maybe my attitude would be different if I had kids of my own?  :-/

It's also infuriating that the bad guys can't be effectively controlled these days without inconveniencing everyone else just to show that somehting's happening, or more likely to meet government targets or some such nonsense.

Kevin


You are probably quite correct -- the problem these days isn't so much increased risk, more increased paranioa, fuelled by the sensation seeking media
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 11 September 2008, 19:13:04
My comment on this thread, is that i will not carry children unaccompanied by an adult, It is on file at my office, that i will not do so, in fact the computer that sends us the work, has been programmed never to send me these jobs. They are usually school runs.
My reason for it.....for example....i have a misbehaving child in the back....i tell him to behave or shut it...or whatever.....he/she decides to get his/her own back and tells mum/dad a story......who's gonna get believed? i know id be in BIG trouble.....and very time consuming trying to prove my innocence......

I could install expensive in car CCTV.......but why should I???

So the way society is becoming......easiest option for me is not to put myself in a position where I could have an allegation made

Sad......but there you go!

Edit....PS im not the only driver that refuses to carry children unaccompanied......quite a few do.
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Dave-C on 11 September 2008, 19:14:41
Just a point, if they were to send the parking attendants to the parks to watch out for paedo's that would be useful, that'd save the ba5tards ticketing cars parked on yellows where yellows needn't be, other than for generating revenue.....

Diversified didn't I... :-/
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Dave-C on 11 September 2008, 19:21:23
If the British Government tell Gary Glitter to go and fly his kite,

Where will he go?

 :-[
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 11 September 2008, 19:22:52
Quote
If the British Government tell Gary Glitter to go and fly his kite,

Where will he go?

 :-[

I don't mind. They should make sure it's a power kite and wrap the string round a certain part of his anatomy first though. ;D

Kevin
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: jereboam on 11 September 2008, 19:34:11
Silly story: a few years back, a friend of mine took some family photos on a film camera - I can't remember exactly what the occasion was, but it was important to him.  Before he could take the film in to be developed, his six year old son got hold of the camera and (my friend believed) took a picture of his four year old brother's backside.  

The boys found this highly amusing.  My friend didn't.  He felt that he could be in trouble if he took the film in to be developed and the photo lab technician reported him to the police, so he threw the film away, losing the pictures he had wanted.   :(

If it had been me, I would have taken the film to professional photographer and explained the situation, but my friend felt he was under so much pressure that he couldn't dare risk it - he had visions of his children being taken into care.   :(
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 11 September 2008, 19:45:02
Quote
Silly story: a few years back, a friend of mine took some family photos on a film camera - I can't remember exactly what the occasion was, but it was important to him.  Before he could take the film in to be developed, his six year old son got hold of the camera and (my friend believed) took a picture of his four year old brother's backside.  

The boys found this highly amusing.  My friend didn't.  He felt that he could be in trouble if he took the film in to be developed and the photo lab technician reported him to the police, so he threw the film away, losing the pictures he had wanted.   :(

If it had been me, I would have taken the film to professional photographer and explained the situation, but my friend felt he was under so much pressure that he couldn't dare risk it - he had visions of his children being taken into care.   :(

I Understand his point - I wouldn't have developed that, either...
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Drewomega on 11 September 2008, 21:07:37
It is a well known fact that family or the church whichever denomination are more likely to abuse kids violently or sexually.
This council proposed law is absolutely ridiculous.
The UK imho have gone completely pc crazy. What next??  :-[ :-[
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Jay w on 11 September 2008, 22:31:10
we have had a similar dilemma recently.
It's mias birthday party this weekend she has invited 3 of her friends for pizza, cinema and a sleepover
I will take them to the cinema and pizza, Tracy has to oversee the sleepover, I don't feel comfortable geting involved but yet have no reason to feel guilty, I hate the fact that society make me feel like that >:( >:(

Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: The Elite on 11 September 2008, 22:38:38
Hmmm, sounds like Daily Mail scare mongering to me...
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: albitz on 11 September 2008, 22:42:21
I have read aricles in the Daily Mail condemning this type of nonsense in the same way that we have. ;)
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: The Elite on 11 September 2008, 22:44:45
Quote
I have read aricles in the Daily Mail condemning this type of nonsense in the same way that we have. ;)

Ya knows wots I means, lol...  ;D
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: razzo on 11 September 2008, 22:47:37
Just out of interest when all you parents or guardians are looking after everyones kids in the park & making sure no-one goes within 500 yards of anyone under the age of 17. What if an A list celeb turns up with hubby or wife & kids wanting some quality time with the family. So your brat asks the celeb for an autograph & before you know it the celeb is surrounded by brats looking for signatures. My point being nowdays most mobiles are ok at taking pictures, so i take it everyone would leave their phones in their bags or pockets & not be tempted to sneak a pic or two
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: The Elite on 11 September 2008, 22:51:42
Celebs bore me to tears, the last thing I want is pics of someone I couldn't care two bits about. I'd be the one in the car park snapping pics of cars...
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: Vamps on 11 September 2008, 23:08:20
Hope this is not too long winded. :-/

My 8 year old daughter brought her 8 year old friend, a girl, to the caravan at the weekend. They had a cunning plan, to wake me up in the mornings, my daughter delights in getting me up, bit of a playful time, tickles, pushing her of the bed, general carry on thing.  ;D

I had a think about this, I normally do not wear anything in bed, so thought I should wear something so wore a pair of boxers.  ::)

Still felt a little worried as I was pounced on by 2 little girls wanting a carry on and tickle etc whilst in their pj’s.
Whilst I limited this, to a point, I chose to allow it, as my daughter and her friend had put so much thought into it, it was part of their weekend. ;D

 The other girls parents were aware of their plans and I am employed in a post that could not have even the slightest sniff of trouble, but life must be lived and fun must be had. ;D ;D ;D
Just have to cover your back more, these days. :(
Title: Re: Should I feel guilty when visiting a park?
Post by: bertiecbx550 on 11 September 2008, 23:29:29
I dont feel guilty about going into parks....just bloody scared of stepping into dog poo!!!! or getting mugged by hoodies....or even worse killer grey sqiurells attacking me and my rottie its a dangerous place telford park!!!!! :o :o.....