Longing for the good old days





In response to the letters submitted by Mike Stern and Bruce Sallen, may I say it is truly a shame that times have changed in the way our children must be educated and forewarned about contact with strangers.

Mr. Sallen, you quoted what you did freely as a child so many years ago, but that has no bearing on the condition of the world today. However, when was it ever appropriate for a stranger to approach a child and expect parents to encourage such contact? Warning children not to speak to or get close to strangers has been a parental warning for years that serves to recognize and address the naiveté of all children.

You can long for the “good ol’ days” when kids could play peeka-boo with you, but I take great pains to teach my students as well as our own three children that their safety comes first above all else. Your accusation that this way of thinking can be categorized as “paranoia” is insulting to me as I have one duty and obligation to my children even before the nurturing begins, and that is to keep them safe through education and awareness, not through paranoia.

It is not our communities that offer a safe harbor, it is sensible education, awareness and parental guidance that our children need and deserve as they will inevitably roam through all communities that surround what you believe to be an impermeable land boundary and guarantee for children’s well being.

A friendly smile, a warm hello is never inappropriate for a child in the presence of their caretaker to receive from an adult. However, as an adult and one who works with kids that have had attempted adductions in our fair city and those that fortunately have not, I know better than to approach a child that is without a parent or guardian.

It is our responsibility as adults to recognize the vulnerability of a child and if you would take your head out of the sand, you would see that you can accomplish a friendly demeanor while maintaining a responsible, appropriate distance from children you do not know.

Welcome to the world we live in. I haven’t seen Beaver Cleaver or Opie Taylor for a very long time, have you? Noel Gyro Oak Park


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *