Who Do Kids ‘Belong’ To?

This video has created quite a stir!

On the surface, I understand why people are wary and suspicious of this philosophy.  As a parent, I believe it is my absolute responsibility to raise my kids well – to invest in them – to build, if you will, good people.

But as a student pastor, I also recognize what a tough and lonely job that can be.  I love partnering with parents to assist them in their own ‘building projects.’

Here’s the subtle difference:  one philosophy suggests that parents and ‘community’ serve equally and combined…possibly even suggesting parents turn over the building plans to someone else.  I believe that parents, however, are the primary builders — and, frankly, the most important ones.  My see my role as a community member as assisting in their building project when and where needed and allowed.

And for the record, as parents, we don’t ‘own’ our children – but we fully own the responsibility for raising them…and if there are flaws in our design plan….well, then we own those, too.

 

Penn State Rant

OK – I don’t usually use my blog to rant – but I have to get these thoughts out of my head and off my heart…so I apologize and give you my blessing to stop reading now.  It is solely my opinion and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of this blog….wait, that doesn’t really work here.

As the story unfolds, I become more sickened.  The victimization of children and apathy for everything but the football program truly makes me want to vomit.  And I’m sorry, but  “we took things too far – this is about victims and we’re here to support them regardless of what happens to our football coach or program.”  Well that’s mighty big of you.  Thank you.

And don’t tell me about the ‘Blue Out.’  As a former victim of child abuse, someone wearing blue would have done absolutely nothing to rescue me from my assailant.  And while it’s nice that ‘proceeds are benefiting abuse agencies’, those agencies weren’t standing in the shower while those precious lives were being robbed of their innocence.

Furthermore, how many victims won’t ever seek healing after watching idiots riot on behalf of their beloved decepticon….I mean coach.  What kind of message does it send to kids when the person covering up their abuse is lauded as a ‘person too vital to the community’ to pay the price for his silence?  Frankly, Paterno (most likely a mandated reporter) better thank his lucky stars that his job is the only thing he’s losing.

And, please tell me how can anyone – ANYONE!!! – walk in on the rape of a 10-year-old boy and a) not beat the living stars (and that’s not the word in my heart!) out of the perpetrator, b) rescue said child from the circumstance, and c) immediately go to the police??  Disgusting.

I understand there’s an ‘innocent until proven guilty’ factor here – and certainly a burden of proof that must still be met.  But in the meantime, could we actually stand-up in a meaningful way for victims of abuse?  Get your hands dirty by volunteering for agencies that meet victims’ needs – not by throwing bricks through windows.  Donate as much money to this cause as you do for your football tickets – and do it for the ‘rightness’ of it, not because you’re getting a shirt out of the deal.  Spend some time protecting an abuse victim – at least as much time as you spend defending your favorite coach.

Rant concluded – we now return you to regular blogging, already in progress.