“Where are your parents?” the man asked the little girl, as he cut off the direction she was walking
I don’t want that to be a narrative that any person can ever tell about me. It could be a totally innocent act, but a sinister framing is easy to assume and impossible to refute.
Well, if the choice is between being perceived as a creep vs watching the kid get hurt, I’ll pick the option that doesn’t end with an injured kid. But if the kid is just wandering and not in danger, like I said, there’s no reason to intervene, for just the reason you listed.
What is the “right” action here then, in your mind? Would you rather a stranger grab the kids hand or pick them up?
Touching someone else’s kid without explicit consent from the parent is likely to get you in some trouble unless you can explain to them that you just saved their kid
Yeah, if a parent yells at me for grabbing a kids hand to keep them from running into traffic, I will look them in the face and tell them that I will just let their kid get smeared for 80 yards next time.
I was with you until that last sentence.
Like, physically block them from going in the road by walking in front of them and say “Hey, is that your mommy over there? Go to her”.
Yeah, it’s totally reasonable. But I’m the current climate I’m not blocking any person’s kid unless they’re going in front of an oncoming train.
Can you elaborate why that last sentance makes it bad?
I don’t want that to be a narrative that any person can ever tell about me. It could be a totally innocent act, but a sinister framing is easy to assume and impossible to refute.
Hard pass.
Well, if the choice is between being perceived as a creep vs watching the kid get hurt, I’ll pick the option that doesn’t end with an injured kid. But if the kid is just wandering and not in danger, like I said, there’s no reason to intervene, for just the reason you listed.
If you’re that worried, figure out your phrasing. “Hey, lets get you back to your parents” probably can’t be misconstrued.
Kidnappers like to confirm that parents are not nearby before snatching kids.
What is the “right” action here then, in your mind? Would you rather a stranger grab the kids hand or pick them up?
Touching someone else’s kid without explicit consent from the parent is likely to get you in some trouble unless you can explain to them that you just saved their kid
Just say “go back to your parents.”
Yeah, if a parent yells at me for grabbing a kids hand to keep them from running into traffic, I will look them in the face and tell them that I will just let their kid get smeared for 80 yards next time.
I have no patience for that.