When I was 10 i was told to be home when the street lights came on. Otherwise my parents rarely knew where I was. Kids these days aren’t going to be able to function independently when they grow up if they can’t even take a walk on their own.
* Safety Warning * - You just said “Kids these days.” The next step down that slippery slope is “Get off my lawn!”
This has been a public service from the Internet Safety Association.
More and more 70s-90s SNL skits are coming to life for real.
First one I remember was when the Gillette Track 2 twin-bladed razor came out. The ads showed an animation of how the first blade pulls the whisker out slightly, then the second blade cuts it off, allowing what’s left to snap back below the skin for a super-close shave. SNL made a parody ad for a triple-bladed razor where the second blade pulls it out even more and the third one cuts it. The slogan was: “the new Track 3 - because you’ll believe ANYTHING!” Within a year there were actual triple-bladed razors.
Mad TV did it better: https://youtu.be/UjAZnGeBcgg?si=LYu39QT2rsDGWXMB
I’m not saying this didn’t happen, but I’m skeptical that it happened how it’s being reported. It seems the only details are coming from the mother and her attorney, which is a red flag to me. It also sounds a lot like the self reported “discrimination” that some fundamentalist Christian influencer families have claimed, when they were indeed neglecting/abusing their children. In particular the Lott family (AmericanFamilyRoadTrip on socials) who live in a bus with their 8 children, don’t get them medical attention unless forced, and recently got a “parents rights” attorney who sounded a lot like the attorney in this article.
I also find it odd that the sheriff of a town of less than 400 people would cause waves like this over an unfounded claim from a stranger. I’m curious to know what all this safety plan entails, because it could be a very reasonable plan and it’s likely that DCFS just has to meet certain criteria before they can close the case.
Again, not saying it didn’t happen, but the story seems like a good candidate for “missing reasons.”
the story seems like a good candidate for “missing reasons.”
Which is interesting as it’s coming from reason.com
There’s another fundamentalist influencer family, a conservative wannabe Eminem and his disturbingly meek wife. They also have a gaggle of children and have been investigated by DCFS. Oh and then there’s the family that Shaq buys stuff for all the time, and the one whose oldest son is in prison for possession of CSAM, and the family whose grandparents were literal Nazis.
These people all know each other, have all kinds of cronies, and spread all kinds of misinformation. I wouldn’t put it past any of them to make a fake “news” website to back up their own claims, and name it something dumb like reason.com 😂
Reason.com is a publication that’s been around for years, decidedly libertarian lean. No idea what that means for it in current political context. I used to see people from Reason on Bill Maher’s show as non-Republican conservative-ish voices.
Hm, interesting, thanks for sharing. Libertarians and fundamentalist influencers have quite a bit of overlap in the ideologies, funny enough. I don’t know how to feel about the Bill Maher tidbit though… I’m not his biggest fan, lol.
Me neither. Part of that came from watching him for a while.
As another commenter pointed out Reason magazine has been around for decades. It’s a libertarian publication so I don’t trust them to not push views a 14-year old would think is deep but any well-adjusted adult could see right through, but it isn’t like they are some fly-by-night website.
Thank you for sharing, but now I’m even more suspicious. Libertarians aren’t exactly known for their fact checking abilities, and I can’t find this news story on websites that seem any more reputable.
I want jail to not be the default setting in this country.
Maybe she’s a shitty parent, but that’s something that can be worked on. She can be taught. It’s not like she’s some kind of soulless paycopath going from house to house traumatizing all the kids. There is absolutely no need to lock his person up.
And now that she’s locked up, the kid has no parent at all. Does anyone really think this is the best solution?
I wish my people weren’t so fucking lazy. Do the work. Figure something else out. Find out how to address this individual’s needs without just waving your hand and saying, put her in jail and move on.
For what it’s worth, she was “quickly” released on bail (the article doesn’t say how quickly), and the prosecution is not seeking further jail time but rather for the mom to sign a “safety plan” (although not signing could indeed lead to a year of jail time).
Your point is correct, but “the kid has no parent at all” isn’t (currently) true.
Damn, I used to walk home from the bus stop that was 1/2 mile away when I was in kindergarten. These people need to calm down.
Some of these same people will complain about how kids these days don’t play outside.
Reported to police for walking less than a mile into town on a road that was 25 - 35 mph speed limit…
Imagine getting jailed unless you ground your kids 24/7. Pretty sure that used to be a punishment for kids, not a requirement.
I know this is probably not possible if I still wish to use English online, but does anybody know how to filter out news specifically form America? It’s becoming less and less relevant to my life as America is becoming more and more like Russia. It’s like yea, I know, the people are literal fascists, any additional details are just depressing.
This is reason.com, famously a libertarian propaganda mill. Safe to completely ignore.
That would be admitting this country ain’t safe enough for a child. Doomer world
Something I’m noticing is the people who scream the loudest about the “what ifs” like rape and murder are often really fucking crazy themselves.
This post and posts like this should be taken with a big grain of salt.
There’s not enough information supplied.
There’s not enough information supplied.
Business Insider has a substantial paywall version. It’s an essay from Brittany Patterson read to a Jane Ridley, verified by Business Insider.
It’s much more detailed and less flowery than Reason.
Mother of 4
Soren (tween in question) is homeschooled
Had to take another 1/4 to the doctor
Soren could not be found so they left him, they have 16 acres, she assumed he was outside
She took 1/4 to the doctor
Soren got bored and went to talk to a friend’s grandmother that worked at a gas station, she wasn’t there, he went to the Dollar Store, police brought him home.
Was stopped by a concerned neighbor, he ignored her and kept walking. She called the cops.
Deputy hauled her off, booked her and locked her up under arrest on a charge of wreckless conduct. Out on bail.
wreckless conduct: Daring or bold, but also irresponsible Willfully disregarding rules, norms, or social conventions Showing a lack of concern for consequences or potential harm to others
The deputy said it wasn’t safe because it was a dangerous road. She said all kinds of things could have happened, including being kidnapped.
30 MPH road
Maybe he was doing something he REALLY shouldn’t have been doing.
Maybe they had it out for her for truancy vs homeschooling
Maybe she REALLY pissed in the deputy’s Wheaties,
Maybe it’s not the first time?
Smalltown shenanigans, police overreach, nanny state neighbors are friends with the cops.
Take your pick; it might make a nice bingo card.
Thanks!
Dunno how I’d have gotten home from school or to soccer practice if I needed an adult, ffs I was staying alone overnight and cooking dinner for myself by 5th grade. How do you acquire independence and skills with someone hovering all the fucking time?
we have infantalized children all the way through high school. no more open campuses, nothing. we live in a world where an 18 year old high school senior has to ask to use the restroom during the day, but could go to her night job as a porn star.
the main issue is parents suing school districts over any little thing, requiring them now to lock everyone down or else
Nah the real issue is that people will cave in to those helicopter parents making everyone else deal with whatever insanity they force onto their children’s
I’ve got 4 kids ages 15 to 3. I’m noticing that the helicoptering I’ve seen from other parents was much worse pre COVID than it is now.
I remember when my oldest kid was like 3 or 4 and hearing the word playdate for the first time. Hate that word. Sorry I’m rambling lol
not in my experience working for a large district (50+ buildings).
And depending on the porn genre, she might be denied bathroom rights in the shoot too!
Fuck that county and DA. I hope she wins. Bullshit. My 15 year old is out right now with his friends. My kids walk to and from school. Double fuck the old cunt who called the cops to begin with.
You don’t.
Source: raised by a single parent who yelled and chased me out of the kitchen anytime I tried asking questions of what he was doing.
Now 41, and have NO CLUE how to cook.
at 41 its now your job to train yourself, if you care to. if that is your excuse on a blind date, its a red flag.
Pssshhhhh, if you think lack of cooking is going to affect my dating life, don’t worry. I’ve yet to find the type of woman who’s personality type would mesh well with mine.
So, I can’t remember the last time I had a date, but I do remember always being disappointed. The VAST majority of women look down on you if you tell them that you’ll never have a drivers liscense (me, not her), that you don’t forsee yourself traveling ever, that you don’t like music, and the whole concept of marriage seems like a financial scam from start until either death or divorce.
If I were to date someone long term, I’d need them to be my speed by nature. Them being my speed has to be something that is within their personality, not me trying to get them to slow down.
My idea of a fun Friday night is to stay in, avoid the bars, and maybe watch a dvd. Most women want to go out, go to clubs, or go on a road trip somewhere. I don’t even want to leave my recliner. Although if I was with someone I’d switch to the couch.
But that person doesn’t exist.
aktually what they want is to feel safe and comfortable with someone who understands and appreciates them. if you wanna be a home skillet thats wonderful. but yes lack of cooking definitely affects your dating potential, and this is something within your power to do something about. but really you shouldnt learn for dating points. you should learn for you. survival skill, hobby, passion, pleasure, achievement get.
if you think lack of cooking is going to affect my dating life…
I advise anyone who enjoys eating tasty food learn how to cook. Even if you live the rest of your life single, being able to knock out a tasty meal when desired is a gamechanger to your quality of life. And if you do find a romantic partner, seeing them enjoy food you’ve prepared them is a special kind of warm-and-fuzzy. 10/10
Even if you could care less about the tastiness of the food entering your face hole, everyone should know enough cooking that they can take care of themselves. I don’t care if you have or want a romantic partner, knowing how to feed yourself should be next on the list after being able to bathe and dress yourself as a fundamental life skill.
Appriciates? Eh, I guess that depends on the person.
Understands? God no. I’ve never understood a single person my whole life. I can’t imagine what would be different about anybody else.
That sucks.
If you want to try learning, start with some pasta. Put water on the stove, boil it, add salt and pasta, stir, drain when the box says (don’t cook it too long or it’ll suck), put whatever you want on it. You can start by just pouring a jar of sauce on top and upgrade to something tougher when you’re more comfortable with it.
Similar experience growing up here.
I taught myself every single adult skill in my early 20s. I couldn’t have done it without the internet.
I’m a great cook though. I’ll figure out how to wash clothes without ruining them next.
As my dad’s friend would say, “Wash with colors only? Clothes are one color: laundry-colored!”
I remember when I was maybe 14, 2001 or so, and my mom forgot to pick me up from wrestling practice after school.
We lived about 6 miles outside of town, and wrestling is a winter sport, so it was well dark.
I walked home along the side of the highway (in all black because that’s what I had that day…) after waiting well over an hour and calling several times (no cell phones). My options were to continue to sit in the glass entryway indefinitely or just leave and go home. It took me 3 hours, and when I walked in my parents were shocked that they forgot… not that I made it home safely or that I felt feelings… they were shocked at themselves that they forgot about me. (I wasn’t at that point)
I mean hell when I was 5-7 I was walking home from school daily, going around suburb town on my bike, and one time around age 6 I got lost for several hours (only a few streets from home, but so windy and confusing I was just lost…) it ended in trauma and an ER visit, but did not actually cause my parents to restrict my movement, when it absolutely should have. It was normal routine stuff back then.
I’m into parents caring more now, but man if someone had arrested my mother for allowing me freedom I’d… have felt really bad for causing it… that’s also intensely traumatic.
“You’re guilty of leaving your child alone, therefore we’re taking you away from your child.”
Thats like the bank charging a fee for insufficent funds.
Or schools expeling you for truancy…
It’s like raiaaain,
on your wedding day
So ironic
“Your kid could have been traumatized walking home alone, now get the fuck on the ground while we arrest you in front of them and haul you off to prison while they’re left at home”
I started walking to school when I was eight. My parents made sure I knew the way and that was that. And on our bikes we went wayyy farther than a mile unsupervised
My oldest (8) bikes to school nearly every day.
His younger brother is allowed to walk to school next year when he is 6.
It is fairly normal here for kids, that are above 6/7, to walk to and from school if it isn’t too far.
Do you visit them in jail?
A lot of us walked/biked to our grade school as well. I can’t remember which grade I started walking, but I was definitely doing it in 4. I’d wager even grade 3 but can’t be 100% sure.
Here we have 3 year old kids walking to kindergarten unsupervised.
On the weekends, it was routine for me to hop on my bike once my chores were done and just take off. The rule was just had to be home by dinner time, or call from whichever friends house I was at if I couldn’t make it back in time. No cell phones.
Based on the safety plan including “installing a location tracking app on the child’s phone”, the kid has a phone and could easily call for help or be called if there was a concern.
Children used to ride bikes much farther then a mile without even a quarter in their pocket to pay for a phone call.
Never needed money when you could call collect and when prompted for a name you gave a speedy, “mom pick me up at the mall!!” And of course she’d decline the call.
Bob Wehadababyitsaboy
Man I had to explain this to my fiance about a month ago. It popped in my head after being dormant for 20 years and I was just saying it out loud around her. Glad someone else out there still remembers
Remember the Duracell ad?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Adam_Walsh
This is what started this panic. A TV movie dramatization from 1983. At this point current parents largely weren’t born yet so they don’t even know how it started, they’ve just been raised into believing this is normal. It’s not normal.
It’s also because most suburbs don’t have sidewalks and cycle paths and often lack safe crossings. Residential roads are so wide that drivers speed all the time. So kids have to be chauffeured around. Since they can’t even walk or cycle to school or soccer practice safely. That’s how it became the norm for kids to never go out alone. And people wonder why kids stay indoors all the time and play videogames or doom scroll on social media.
I think the real origins come from “do you know where you’re children are?” PSA campaign during the Atlanta Child Murders in the 70s. My parents said they remember the whole country started locking their doors and were crazy about keeping their kids inside.
So the PSA wasn’t intended for that. It actually kind of only shows up late at night after most cities curfew and is supposed to be an anti-deliquency message, lol. The Atlanta Child murders are the other high profile case that happened right around Walsh’s murder though. Both popped in the national news in around '81.
What’s important about the Atlanta Child murders is they were ALSO dramatized in 1985 after the success of the Walsh dramatization( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Atlanta_Child_Murders_(miniseries)). It was even more sensationalized and was specifically designed to fuel the panic. That’s why I consider the Walsh precursor really the watershed point. It was, however, gradual from the '60s as the news media really found out how to exploit it.
See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_children_panic for a more complete overview. You’ll see this is also intimately linked to Reagan, the satanic panic, homophobia, and the political right.
I mean, kid really did get killed… Weird to call it A TV dramatization.
a show made up of real life events recreated in dramatic format for the TV is called a TV dramatization.
settle down.
It was the dramatization that did it though. That and John Walsh testifying to Congress with way off base figures about the dangers to children. The moral panic was media driven for ratings.
