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| Girl Punches Attacker, Plus: Are The Kids Really Alright? |
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I probably shouldn’t appreciate stories about girls punching guys. I mean, it’s wrong to commit violence against anyone, right? I shouldn’t endorse this sort of thing. But it brings a little warmth to my heart to hear about someone who proves that no matter what their age, size, or level of "femininity," women are definitely capable of defending themselves when they’re being attacked or harassed. This morning as I was watching the news over breakfast, this headline caught my eye: Long Island Girl Punches Man Who Grabs Her At Bus Stop. Apparently, a 13 year-old girl was walking on Morris Avenue on Long Island yesterday when a man in dark clothing came up behind her and grabbed her. He was no match for the middle schooler, however, who punched him and ran to the safety of her Delamere Street bus stop. The link above contains important information for helping to catch the girl's attacker, so if you can help identify him, please call the number listed. Research has suggested that our perceptions of “stranger danger”—the idea that people we don’t know are just waiting around the corner to hurt us or our kids—are way overblown. According to websites like Free Range Kids, there really aren’t as many cases of child abduction as we think there are. Some would say that the reason we’re so convinced that strangers are dangerous is because the kidnappings and assaults that do happen are so highly publicized (and usually accompanied by warnings of how we should never let our kids out of our sight or they’ll be snatched up). Do you agree? Regardless of how many or how few people are out to get kids, there is one thing that most people tend to forget: a kid that knows how to defend him- or herself is a safer kid (I wouldn’t push this girl around on the playground anytime soon). Which skills do you think are important for kids-- and especially girls-- to learn? [Above photo, ed. note: Do you remember the Strangers and Dangers board game? I played it a lot when I was young, and to this day, I still scream "No!" and run to a library when approached by a stranger. Also, those kids on the box look way stressed. Ooh, babies, it's a wild world. Credit.] Trackback(0)
Comments (4)
  written by Lauren Bitch, January 25, 2012
That 13-year old girl is awesome! I think we should teach our kids how to protect themselves and how to gauge the potential danger of any situation. That said, I think the reason why we're so overprotective is because the cases of child abduction you do hear about are always the most heinous and tragic murder cases. At least that I've found. So I think it is super important to be aware of what could happen, while taking into consideration the likelihood of it happening. Again, I think the best thing you can do is give them the tools and knowledge to keep themselves safe, and to always follow their gut on if a situation feels bad.
 written by cupcakerots45, January 26, 2012
I agree that children should be taught to defend themselves. Being active on how overprotective a parent is such as keeping their children from going outside during an afternoon because they are afraid of their child/(children) being abducted can be detrimental to their social growth. I was raised thinking that the world is too dangerous for me to go out and play. Luckily I learned through my youth it isn't always like that. If a child can learn how to defend themselves, they are safer and are learning to be safe with themselves. Its a form of independence.
written by Maradoll Mynxy, January 26, 2012
Always a good idea to teach girls how to fight (back). There are many, many, many times (unfortunately) when a girl will need to defend herself against the violence of men in her lifetime, whether it be abusive BFs or strangers. I actually think we can't overly warn girls and women about that violence that could happen at any given time.
written by marence, January 27, 2012
Overprotection of children makes them less aware of real danger.
While the parent might think they are protecting, one or both of two things happens. One is that the child is completely ignorant of the real world. The other is that the child will go out looking for danger.
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