1 of 38

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

never say anything to anyone else's children no matter what is going on. Generally, I don't think people should discipline other people's children. I remember times when people tried to or did put their hands on my kids and it still makes me angry. However, it is not necessary to handle other people's children to deal with a situation.

A case in point is when my youngest and I went to a park that had city sponsored summer activities. On one occasion, several boys ganged up on one boy. Nothing really serious, they were about fourteen, but one of those situations parents recognize as pre-trouble. I broke it up, found a counselor and told him to take care of business. No big deal, but the other moms behaved as though I had done something extraordinary by intervening. They felt I should have been afraid to approach these boys because of their reaction or possible repercussions from parents or park staff.

My feeling is, if a situation requires intervention, people should intervene. I did not raise my voice or swear or touch the boys (although I would have if the many had been assaulting the one). I alerted the appropriate authority and then I went about my business.

On the other hand, plenty of people interfere in the raising of our children. Too much exposure to inappropriate material is a constant in our lives now. Years ago I saw an adult store with material draped over the windows and no displays. The name was discreet and while adults knew what it meant, children, especially small children, didn't have a clue. I think it would be difficult now, to find a store that handled itself in such an appropriate manner, mindful of the fact that young children shouldn't be exposed to confusing material when they are not ready.

Inappropriate material is not confined to sexual innuendo. The Internet is difficult to control absolutely, especially when no one seems to give any thought as to whether they should be posting certain material. I recently wrote to the humane society because they and other animal rights organizations show a distressing tendency to post visuals showing animal cruelty. They do not care, apparently, who sees this material. Their response was that they had to show their members the extent of abuse. Well, I'm sorry, but if you are reporting to your members, you are already preaching to the choir. At this point, you have become a purveyor of obscene material only for the shock value.

The problem is there is no face to face contact between the children and the village if the children are in their living rooms and the village is out there, busy producing TV shows, radio programs, advertising copy, teen rock stars, movies, toys, video games, etc. that can have a bad influence on our children; not to mention the unhealthful food, overly sugared cereals, candy loaded with artificial color and grease laden fast food. Manufacturers shouldn't promote and cash in on young girls' desire to copy adult singing stars or manipulate children so unhealthful food is constantly clamored for.

If the village would pay more attention to behaving responsibly, the child could be raised with more knowledge, more protection and more advantages than parents can provide alone. While parents are ultimately responsible for monitoring their children's behavior, it becomes difficult when they are constantly undermined, in a very deliberate way, by those who are seeking to make money, in any way possible, from the children in the village.

Learn more about this author, Josephine Polifroni.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Assessing "It takes a village to raise a child"?
We want to hear your view. Write now!