What a Sad World

[leon]

Hi guys, well i am a bit upset, and i do not know how other Grand Dads cope.

I was out with my 10 year old Grand Daughter, I love her to bits,we were just doing stuff in the park and enjoying our company.

I was sitting down on a log an watched her do kid stuff, she then ran up to me and nearly knocked me over with a big hug, and i responded with a pat on the bum, as she hugged me.

There was nothing in it, but it was spotted by some other person an i was accused of being a dirty old man.

I have had a gut full of all those filthy pedophiles, those people who prey on young people.

And it is sad that i cant hug my dear grand child in public, I am very upset, I love them all and cant show affection

What a sad world

Leon

[Kunama]

I have a three year old granddaughter who is with me three days a week, we go to parks, we throw stones into the lake, we shop together, we share hugs and ice creams, I will protect her with my life yet often I too see the 'concerned' looks and stares from people as we walk by holding hands or hugging.

The sad truth is that the predators are out there, there is little or no deterrent value in our legal system, with bail and parole being treated as a right not a privilege so perhaps one can understand some of the concerns of other parents. One has to wonder though why do people need to attach a sexual connotation to any innocent contact between loving parents, grandparents and their children.
The time between grandparents and their grandchildren is a special gift and bond so don't despair Leon, you're grandchildren will cherish these times as much we do.

[Atmos (Colin)]

It really is a sad world at times.
I've heard of single dads with young daughters being vilified by women (mothers) for going into parents rooms to change nappies and the like.

The sentiment behind this is why I chose not to become a physics/chemistry teacher, wouldn't surprise me if it is a reason why there is a real shortage for male teachers. Because we're a male around younger students we're automatically deemed a potential pedophile.

[traveller (Bo)]

On a happier note, my kids' primary school was audited recently, and the independent auditor mentioned that it was "nice to see kids giving their teachers hugs at the end of the day"
I am not sure if that's for male teachers also, but the school has a few young male teachers and they are all terrific!
Bo

[el_draco (Rom)]

The sad truth is that we MEN have been demonised by vested interests. A sick perverted few have been used as an excuse to label us all, and yet, the same sick few of the other gender have excuses galore... and are treated differently by both society and law.

So stand up to them!! The research, for what its worth, says that men are a hugely powerful influence in a child's life, be it boy or girl, so name it up; I do.

Anyone who looks sideways at me for being a father, and eventually grandfather, I hope, are going to get a backhand to the face, with a closed hand.

[csb (Craig)]

Originally Posted by el_draco

The sad truth is that we MEN have been demonised by vested interests.

What you said hardly seems to have any substance. I've found all women and children accept men at face value. And i haven't seen any general portraying of men as being perverts nor as untrustworthy around children by the media - including those outlets that cater to women's interests.

Feminists and lesbeans don't even sprout anti-male propaganda.

I think the only males that may possibly be stereotyped as perverts would be catholic priests (high-profile entertainers would be in 2nd place ).

[MortonH]

Shrug it off as best you can, Leon. Some people have nothing better to do than look for fault in others that are happy.

I wouldn't really care what a stranger said to me but presumably this happened right in front of your grand daughter? If so I hope she's not upset as well.

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by csb

What you said hardly seems to have any substance. I've found all women and children accept men at face value. And i haven't seen any general portraying of men as being perverts nor as untrustworthy around children by the media - including those outlets that cater to women's interests.

Feminists and lesbeans don't even sprout anti-male propaganda.

I think the only males that may possibly be stereotyped as perverts would be catholic priests (high-profile entertainers would be in 2nd place ).

You are dead wrong, children have been brought up around here to fear men and stay clear of them.
The mantra around here is children don't talk to people they don't know, especially men.
Since the abduction of Daniel Morcombe many years ago that is what parents are teaching their children.
When I go for my walks down my country roads I give children a wide berth
and they me., even though I have lived in the area for 25 odd years.
It is a really sad state of affairs
I know how you feel Leon.
Cheers

[Wavytone]

I think it is worse now than it was in years past.

I'm very careful with our boy as he's very distinctive being a Eurasian mix and draws a lot of unwanted attention.

When I'm out shopping with him without my wife we get all sorts of odd remarks and I've been challenged on more than 1 occasion as to whether I'm the father. I'm just waiting for the day the cops drag me off to a police station "on suspicion".

[raymo]

I find this thread distressing; I too have a young grandchild, and never
take him anywhere without my wife being present.
The saddest part of all this is that the percentage of paedophiles in
the community is no greater than it used to be when I was a young
boy almost 80 yrs ago, there have always been men who are
attracted to children. Instant worldwide communication, plus my
pet hate, social media, have caused this fear that there is a paedophile
lurking around every corner. The internet has, of course, allowed some of them to gravitate to child porn websites, and even arrange the hire of children in Asia. One of the downsides to the internet, along with cyber bullying.
Like probably many old f---s I REALLY
dislike this day and age, preferring the 50s and early 60s.
raymo

[tempestwizz (Brian)]

Buy the 'I'm their grandad' t-shirt!

[netwolf]

Leon that is so sad to here , my dad is no more with us and he loved my daughter to bits. If someone did that to him I'd be having some strong words. Being vigilant is one thing being paranoid is another. I am not sure the world has changed much but people are just more aware of it know to the extend of paranoia. But equally when accused people need to be set straight, else our inaction Leeds to worse behaviour.

What next we're a sign to say that's my kid or grand kid. Seriously. I'm glad I was not there. There is a nice way to approach things if u suspect something I could just start a casual conversation. See if ur concerns are warranted.

Say helo and talk to ppl. Don't jump to conclusions.

[blink138 (Pat)]

that is extremely distressing for you leon!
if it were not for your little girl there, i would have been tempted to knock a couple of teeth loose, at the very least tell them to mind their own bloody business!!
this world is going to the dogs
pat

[bojan]

Our community is getting sick mind.... Nobody trust anybody else.
Is it because those "good-doers" are trying to prove something to themselves?

[alan meehan (Alan)]

sorry to hear this Leon I too iam a grandfather and my granddaughter loves to go shopping and to park with me she is 5 yrs old we have good times together and I wouldn't change it for quids and bugger anyone who thinks bad of it,as MATT says and I agree the time between grandparents and grandkids is specialand if anyone were to question it tell them to bugger off
AL

[AussieTrooper (Ben)]

Yep. Sad. And it's only getting worse. This kind of attitude has seen the number of male teachers drop to near zero in many schools. Men are too scared to take the job, as they know that one day they will almost certainly be accused of something.

[Peter Ward]

Jaysusswepped! I absolutely despise these "touchy feely" types for twisting perfectly normal behaviour into something perverted.

When my own son was a toddler, I was often flying to Heathrow and one occasion while strolling through the cabin, noticed a little guy giving his mum some grief and making a fast-break down the aisle (away from mum)

He wasn't too sure about this big bloke in a uniform headed toward him.

Without thinking, I scooped him up, put my pilot's hat on him, and returned him to mum...letting him know he had to look after her.

Both Mum and the little fella were delighted! (they made me stay for a photo-op).

And I'd do it again... a pox on any twisted pervert who thinks this is unacceptable behaviour.

[LewisM]

Heck, I get weird idiots looking at me in snide ways all the time with my 3 year old on my shoulders (she loves riding up there). I just ignore the cretins.

Same daughter also insists on kissing on the lips - so be it! But again, you should see the looks...anyone would think there was tongue involved or something! Sheesh. Whatever - look after your own kids who you happily let run 30 metres ahead of you in car parks...THAT is way more irresponsible than me and my daughter showing affection.

[el_draco (Rom)]

Originally Posted by csb

What you said hardly seems to have any substance. I've found all women and children accept men at face value. And i haven't seen any general portraying of men as being perverts nor as untrustworthy around children by the media - including those outlets that cater to women's interests.

Feminists and lesbeans don't even sprout anti-male propaganda.

I think the only males that may possibly be stereotyped as perverts would be catholic priests (high-profile entertainers would be in 2nd place ).

You must live in a wonderful bubble mate.

- Every level of government acts against men.

- There are offices for the status of women, but none for men. There are equal opportunity rules for women, that discriminate against men. Women MUST be hired for some positions even if they are incompetent and there are competent men available. Its everywhere.

- The Family court system acts against men. You can be removed from your life/assets at the whim of your wife and with absolutely NO recourse.
She can go into court and lie black and blue UNDER OATH but there's ZERO consequences when confronted with documentary evidence that proves categorically that she perjured herself.

- The Criminal law system treats female sex predators differently to male sex predators. Go read a few cases. Start with "Casey Lee Sullivan", who got 2 years for doing 3 of her students, and "Sarah Jayne Vercoe" who was eligible for parole after 2 years, after doing 5 of her male students. If a male had done what these two had done, he'd be a lifer..

- A male who assault his wife is a wife abuser, a female who assaults her husband is acting in "self defence". Remember the constant bombardment of adverts about men beating up their female partners? Women are just as likely to assault their kids and partners and regularly kill their kids and they get treated completely differently by both media and law. A scumbag chucks his daughter of the west gate bridge and its "Hang draw and quarter him in public"(Which I agree with). A woman drowns three kids in a car and, "she had serious mental health issues, PMS, PMT, PND...", yadda yadda yadda.

- The "Child support system" acts against men. Remember the "Dead Beat dads" campaign. Your income gets screwed and she can lie her arse off and never be prosecuted...

- In my professional life, I am under constant scrutiny whenever I have contact with a female client.

- I cant offer a female a lift in my car, even if its pouring rain/snowing or blisteringly hot lest I be accused of being the next Milllat.

- The media portrays us as morons in advertising, or we are sexist, misogynistic, opportunistic sexual predators in most drivel it produces.

- If I discipline my children, I can lose them at the whim of some overzealous wanker.

All this is so that we have a safer, fairer, more just society. Do you think its working?

The hypocrisy is mind bending and I've had enough of it, hence my signature. If you have sons... be worried, be VERY VERY worried.

[raymo]

I second every word Rom.
raymo