What's wrong with people?

[dalek]

Walking home a couple of days ago, I passed my local recreation field and stopped outside to watch some kids, maybe 8/9 years old, training for their football, (soccer) team. Being a football fanatic, this is something I often do.

I'd been standing there a few minutes, when a guy, (I assume one of the kids parents), jogged over to me and asked me what I was doing.

"Just watching the kids play football." I said.
"Why are you doing that?"
"Because I like watching kids play football."
"What are you, some kind of pervert?"

I was speechless, I just didn't know what to say. I just shook my head and walked away. Are people so paranoid now, that you're considered a pervert for watching kids play football, or any other sport for that matter?

So, from now on, I'll just be walking past the park with my eyes glued to the pavement. Another of life's little pleasures taken away from me.

 

[LoraJ]

Check out the "Why do Men park in parks" thread. Yes, they are being paranoid. Unless you are approaching kids handing out candy, I don't know why people get so freaked out.

 

[va32h]

So, from now on, I'll just be walking past the park with my eyes glued to the pavement. Another of life's little pleasures taken away from me.

Why? Because of what one person said, on one occasion?

 

[RadioNate]

Unfortunately yes, people are paranoid and it has somehow become unacceptable for men to have anything to do with children who aren't related to them.

A few months ago my DH's best friend took our son to Starbucks. His friend is a dark, haired, dark skinned Cuban...my DS is blond haired and blue eyed. Both DH's best friend and DS were questioned about their relationship to eachother. Sad really. His friend just came by before golf, DH wasn't quite ready so his friend said he'd run and get coffee, DS wanted to tag along so we let him and everyone gets questioned.

I know DH's best friend sometimes gets looks when he brings his dog to the park and kids approch the dog. On the flip side my cousin frequently brings her dogs to parks and kids sporting events to socialize the dog to a lot of kids approaching etc and no one seems to mind.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You should still watch, that's

 

[Blondie]

I think you would've gone un noticed if you had've joined the parents and stood or sat from there and watched.

 

[Geoff_M]

Don't let them bother you... Tell them what you're honestly doing "Just watching the kids play..." and then I think I'd get rather sarcastic and pull out my drivers license and offer it to them so they keep tabs on me. I'd also offer them a sample of my hair in case they also want to run a DNA profile or keep it handy in case someone decides to kidnap one of the kids. Same for finger prints.

When I did my college internship I used to bike by a little league diamond. About the time I passed by most days they'd have a game underway. It was fun to just stop for an inning or two and watch the game. I suppose if this were today, some parents might have wondered about me too... As far as I'm concerned, that's their problem.

 

[MosMom]

I think it is funny because I would be just as suspicious of the football coach as I would be of a stranger watching a football scrimmage. Just because they know your kids, doesn't mean they get an automatic clear and statistically, if anything did happen, it would be the football coach (or someone that knows your child well) not the stranger.

 

[Stitchfans]

It is so sad that it has come to this were someone can't innocently, quietly watch some kids playing football without being accused of something. I for one enjoy watching kids having fun. The sound of children's laughter is one of my most favorite sounds. So sad.

 

[Kaycee]

I'm sorry that someone was so paranoid they said that to you just for watching kids practice football. But I don't think you should let one person's paranoia make you stop doing something you enjoy. If we go through life letting other people's issues ruin things for us, pretty soon we won't enjoy anything. I refuse to live my life that way.

 

[grlpwrd]

Walking home a couple of days ago, I passed my local recreation field and stopped outside to watch some kids, maybe 8/9 years old, training for their football, (soccer) team. Being a football fanatic, this is something I often do.

I'd been standing there a few minutes, when a guy, (I assume one of the kids parents), jogged over to me and asked me what I was doing.

"Just watching the kids play football." I said.
"Why are you doing that?"
"Because I like watching kids play football."
"What are you, some kind of pervert?"

I was speechless, I just didn't know what to say. I just shook my head and walked away. Are people so paranoid now, that you're considered a pervert for watching kids play football, or any other sport for that matter?

So, from now on, I'll just be walking past the park with my eyes glued to the pavement. Another of life's little pleasures taken away from me.

Are you in the States? You refer to soccer as football.

I thought our country was more on pervert-alert compared to other places.

There's a site - please be aware that it's disturbing - www.pervertedjustice.com - that really opens our eyes to some of the real pedophiles out there, but they prey on their victims via the internet.

 

[Quackmore]

Walking home a couple of days ago, I passed my local recreation field and stopped outside to watch some kids, maybe 8/9 years old, training for their football, (soccer) team. Being a football fanatic, this is something I often do.

I'd been standing there a few minutes, when a guy, (I assume one of the kids parents), jogged over to me and asked me what I was doing.

"Just watching the kids play football." I said.
"Why are you doing that?"
"Because I like watching kids play football."
"What are you, some kind of pervert?"

I was speechless, I just didn't know what to say. I just shook my head and walked away. Are people so paranoid now, that you're considered a pervert for watching kids play football, or any other sport for that matter?

So, from now on, I'll just be walking past the park with my eyes glued to the pavement. Another of life's little pleasures taken away from me.

That is soooo sad!!!! People "are" out of control these days. That is extreme paranoia.

 

[Galahad]

Are you in the States? You refer to soccer as football.

I thought our country was more on pervert-alert compared to other places.

There's a site - please be aware that it's disturbing - www.pervertedjustice.com - that really opens our eyes to some of the real pedophiles out there, but they prey on their victims via the internet.

I believe Mr. Dalek, spawn of Davros, lives in the U.K.

 

[horseshowmom]

Keep watching the soccer practice whenever you want. The person who approached you was out of line.

Unfortunately, if we look at statistics, it's alarming how many children are molested at some time in their lives (I know several adults who were molested as children). As a parent, I tend to be a little paranoid myself, but I limit it to watching closely. It's totally inappropriate to approach someone who hasn't exhibited any behavior other than watching kids playing (which I would think most of us enjoy doing).

 

[Deb in IA]

Too sad . . .