On Calling Parents Irresponsible

Filed in archive Rants on December 3, 2007

An un-named author at Newsday.com cries for parents to "Just Say No" if they ask for an ATV for Christmas. He cites the usual dangers associated with ATVs while completely ignoring other activities that are just as dangerous or more dangerous.

Here's what really got my attention about this little piece that basically called parents of kids who ride ATVs and motorcycles irresponsible...

how many parents can ensure these recommendations are followed by their kids?

I, for one, know of only a few dozen or so. Of course, I only personally know about a few dozen or so parents that have kids that young that ride. (What I'm saying is that most of the parents I know that have kids that ride, teach the kids to ride, supervised them, and do not use it as a form of 'babysitting".)

From what I've seen, more parents let their kids ride bicycles unsafely and unsupervised in more dangerous situations that I've seen for ATVs and motorcycles. Yes, I know, ATVs and motorcycles can be dangerous, just like bicycles, cars, walking and just about anything else.