Dear Dr. R.V. Shrink:
You have had several questions recently about annoying campground neighbors. Here is one for you to take a whack at. We just spent two days parked next to a guy that wanted the whole world to listen to his sick attempt at child rearing. It was all I could do to get my wife from going over and shoving a sock in his mouth, or at least sock him in the mouth. He was belittling his young daughter constantly. She could not do anything right according to his warped sense of logic. We could tell the young teen was embarrassed by his remarks, taunting and cruel degradation. As they packed up on the third day we gave each other a high five, but still feel sorry for the young lady that has to endure another few years of his self-inflation by way of putting her down loudly and constantly. We do not like conflict but my wife thinks we should have given him a piece of our mind. What do you say?
-- Itchin' for a fight in Florida
Dear Itchin':
Ask any cop that has to jump into a domestic violence scene. More times than not you become the bad guy and the whole group turns on you. The right solution, like most of the other situations, would be to move. Child abuse comes in many forms, this one was most likely not reportable. Besides the annoyance of listening to a loud mouth, you have to suffer along with the kid knowing what they must be dealing with. There are millions of stories in the campground world. You will become part of many of them if you travel enough. Don’t try to be a referee, be a spectator. If you tire of being a spectator, round ‘em up and move ‘em out. Depending on the severity of the noise or abuse, the only other suggestion would be to report this behavior to park officials. Do not try to become the law west of the fifth-wheel. It’s not your job.
--Keep Smilin’, Dr. R.V. Shrink
8 comments:
So the bullying continues...very enabling!!
Child abuse, in any form, needs to be reported to authorities! I suggest calling 911 or local police to intervene. In Nebraska, as well as many other states, require by law all citizens to report suspected abuse. No, it is not wise to personally intervene. That is the job of police or local CPA workers. And I would not report every little disagreement overheard. But if this behavior continues for several days - Yes! This is a pattern which the parent needs help to break.
Difficult to accept that your first suggestion is to turn your back.
are you kidding me - abuse should be reported -hasn't the situation at penn state been enough for this lifetime - no reason to confront -call and report -it is your responsibility to protect
Actually, I agree with the RV Shrink. If this guy isn't physically harming his daughter, and she is not being starved or forced to forgo basic hygiene, then there's probably nothing the local authorities can do, or would do. The letter didn't say how old the kid is, or whether there's a mom or other kids present. Maybe she doesn't live with him; this could be his "custody weekend" and he can't stop belittling her because he hates her mom and she looks just like her. I don't know, you don't know, and neither does the letter writer. If the girl was being physically hurt or neglected I would say call the cops. Otherwise, no.
One of the problems with our world today is that "no one wants to get involved"! As a retired teacher, I know anyone who "knows about or witnesses" child abuse is required by law to report it! How can you live with yourself knowing that this child is being abused. I know from experience that what you see in the open is only the tip of the iceburg..no telling what this child is suffering behind closed doors. She is learning that adults will not protect her & will likely become an abuser herself. You both should be ashamed of yourselves for turning your back on this child!
Did you ever think to leave an anonymous note on his door one evening? It will make you feel better by venting in a letter and leaving it on the guy's door and maybe, if it is written so the guy does not get defensive, he "might" listen? Who knows????
Turn ur back????? That is how child abuse continues to flourish. The law should have been called. To say that this poor girl has a few more years of this??????? How do u sleep at night? Penn State should be the poster child for situations like this....those of us who witness child abuse in ANY form and do nothing are as quilty as those who are perpetrating it.
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