The New Exchange » Risk Assessment

Goose · 2/14/2015 1:02 pm

We all want what is best for our children. We want them to be happy and healthy, and we want to protect them from harm. But, human beings can be terrible at assessing probability and risk.. What if we are protecting them from extremely remote threats while ignoring the things that most endanger their well-being? What if police and child welfare officials, the experts whom we empower to protect our children, are pursuing phantom problems while neglecting those who are truly at risk?
Below is a story from Silver Spring, MD

When letting your kids out of your sight becomes a crime

One recent Saturday afternoon, six police officers and five patrol cars came to my home in Silver Spring. They demanded identification from my husband and entered our home despite not having a warrant to do so. The reason for this show of force? We had allowed our children to walk home from a neighborhood park by themselves.

A few hours later, a Montgomery County Child Protective Services (CPS) social worker coerced my husband into signing a “temporary safety plan” for our children by threatening to take the children “right now” — a threat she backed up with a call to the police. In the weeks that followed, another worker from the agency appeared at our door with the police and insisted that he did not need a warrant to enter our home. He also interviewed our children at school without our knowledge or permission.

When did Americans decide that allowing our kids to be out of sight was a crime?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/raising-children-on-fear/2015/02/13/9d9db67e-b2e7-11e4-827f-93f454140e2b_story.html?hpid=z2

Mind you, in the same state, a parent can easiy avoid getting their children immunized against common diseases.

A child whose parent or guardian objects to immunization on the grounds that it conflicts with the parent's or guardian’s bona fide religious beliefs and practices may not be required to present a physician's certification of immunization in order to be admitted to school or day care.
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/maryland.aspx

Are we afraid of the wrong things?

Last edited by Goose (2/14/2015 1:03 pm)

BYOB · 2/14/2015 1:30 pm

I heard about this the other day. It's freakin' craziness! I wasn't aware kids are required to have an adult escort at all times no matter what in this country. Sheesh.

Conspiracy Theory · 2/14/2015 4:37 pm

This was way over the top. Excessive. Heavy-handed. Take your pick.

I see bad parenting on a daily basis but anyone with any common sense could tell this was not the case here.

She made a valid point. Once it was determined this was not a case of neglect they should have just let it go.

Kinda wanna smack that social worker. They're making the rest of us look like jack-booted thugs.

tennyson · 2/14/2015 5:08 pm

There is a current debate (and I admit to really have miixed feelings) about what is now termed "free range parenting" (see below)

http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/free-range-parenting-debate-kids-allowed-roam-unsupervised/story?id=28594061

As defined by the initial story the people trying to protect the children seem (I say that because we are hearing a point of view from the parent only) seems to really have overplayed their role excessively, but at the same time when I look at crime statistics in Silver Springs area (not sure exactly where they live) and look at registered sex offenders in the same area, I really do have my doubts about lettling kids of this age roam freely without any supervision. Like I said, I really have mixed feelings.

Conspiracy Theory · 2/14/2015 5:36 pm

Common sense needs to be applied. Obviously no parent should let their child wander around alone in a high crime area. I strongly disagree with the woman who allowed her nine-year old to ride the NYC subway alone...IMO that's just asking for trouble.

But walking back from a park?

Okay, maybe the police were concerned, but both they and CPS way, way overreaced.

IntroVertigo · 2/14/2015 7:02 pm

Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too. ~Voltaire

Last edited by IntroVertigo (2/19/2015 7:57 am)

Conspiracy Theory · 2/14/2015 7:22 pm

IntroVertigo wrote:
Conspiracy Theory wrote:
Once it was determined this was not a case of neglect they should have just let it go.

Kinda wanna smack that social worker. They're making the rest of us look like jack-booted thugs.
...Right CT!

Montgomery County MD is perhaps the finest example of the uber-progressive nanny state in all its glory.
Nevermind your beliefs or ideals...The state knows what is best for you and yours.

Our ATTEMPTS to Regulate and Legislate our way to 100% safety will only lead us farther away from the freedoms that have made our country so great. I have met 10 year olds that could probably handle a walk through Silver Spring...I have also met 18 year olds that probably could not. I think that ultimately the decision must be left to the parents. I realize that many in our society are not capable of using common sense, let alone critical thinking. But if we expect the state to hold everyones hand from cradle to grave, what sort of society are we propogating?

I have a saying I use alot.... "Life is dangerous, wear a helmet."
I would now like to add to that..."Life is dangerous, wear a helmet...If you so choose"

Kind of a funny anecdote: A British friend who visited the States back in the 90's wrote and told me that, for a free country, we sure had a lot of laws saying what we can and can't do.

Never thought much about it until then. It seems like we have more laws governing individual behavor than any other place in the world that I've been to.

flowergirl · 2/14/2015 10:31 pm

But our woman can vote, drive cars, dress the way they want, work outside the home, hold responsible jobs, etc, etc. We still have most of our freedoms that many countries do not allow. Part of the problem is there are so many of us and we all want to do it our way. At some point laws have to be passed to keep order. The MD case, however, is really over the top in the way it was handled. All that was necessary--if anyone thought something was--discuss with the parents about safety of their children. Case closed.

Goose · 2/15/2015 6:55 am

Can't let your kid walk home from a park.

But you can leave him exposed to infectious diseases because of your batty thoughts about vaccines.

Is it really a case of too much regulation, or is it misplaced regulation?

Last edited by Goose (2/15/2015 6:55 am)

BYOB · 2/15/2015 8:18 am

Here's one of the problems I have with all this. Why are people only concerned after the fact all the time? If children's services are so concerned about children being left alone around that area, then go keep an eye on the park/area to begin with. Don't wait until the kids have already gotten home and then swoop in and try to bust the parents. All that really tells me is that you are more concerned with busting someone for something you see as wrong, than caring about the welfare of the children.

Plus, I'm almost sure that ripping children out of their homes and away from their parents is much less traumatizing than walking home by themselves. (eyeroll).

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