I was in line and a family was standing behind me. The father was already angry because he couldn’t figure out how to navigate the train system here (I’m in Europe, this was an American family) and there was some miscommunication amongst them. The son (about 14/15) was trying to get his father to be reasonable with his temper (granted, in a not helpful, teenage boy way). His father kicked him 3 times in the shins while yelling at him to shut up 3 times, causing a scene. I grew up with in an abusive household, so seeing this behavior from a father infuriates me. I walked away, but it annoys me thinking I could’ve done something for that kid. I know it’s not my place to tell a stranger how to parent their child, but I also know this method of poor parenting passes anger issues down to sons, spilling into other areas of life. How should I have handled it, if at all?
20 comments
It’s not my problem or my job to do anything
Not my problem, and honestly, some times kids need a smack.
Ya it’s hard to watch and not say something but as long as a child is not being beaten then we should mind our own business.We don’t know the context or events leading up to the disciple.I would only intervene If a child was being injured by his parents. I remember raising my voice ( very loudly) at my daughter in public and an elderly lady really chastised me but she didn’t know the story- that my daughter has just got caught by a security guard stealing from shoppers drug mart.
But yes I have witnessed parents being very harsh with their kids and it’s difficult to see. 🫤
Kicks to the shins? Lol, what kind of loser dad does that?
>”His father kicked him 3 times in the shins while yelling at him to shut up 3 times, causing a scene.”
I hope he’s ashamed of this memory for the rest of his life.
I’m not sure what you can do, other than confront the man or call the police, or both. Problem is, if you embarrass the dad but don’t trigger an effective intervention by police or social services, which is unlikely given that they’re on holiday, you’ll probably just end up making it worse for the kid.
That’s some messed up stuff right there, can’t believe people do that in public. I’d probably call the cops or at least confront them and shame them for their terrible behavior.
The likelihood of you accomplishing anything but causing the kid more shit later on is extremely low.
There’s not much you can do unless you hace the relationship or authority to be involved on a long term basis. Disfunction has no quick fixes.
Cheer them on. Some of these little fuckers need an ass whipin
Sounds like that little cunt needed more than kicks.
I work where we have a lot of customers. I see it happen nearly every day.
You call the authorities.
I usually just say hey in my dad voice. I’m not the largest guy in the world but I grew up with a mom who beat the ever loving piss out of me until she left when I was 7. Then my stepdad and stepmom did their verbal, emotional and religious abuse so it’s not something I can stand to watch.
If you’re witness to a crime and you don’t do anything, you’re technically also committing a crime. Not that anyone is ever going to catch you.
If it’s in public like you described, not my business. Unless of course it looks like it’s going overboard.
I recently saw this in a £ shop in England where I live. I blocked the door way to the store and called the police. They were distressing not only this not even 1 year old child, but the people there in that shop and the workers.
She was hitting and yelling at this poor child who was obviously upset about something. Not old enough to talk.
I hope she’s been found and her piss stain of a life is far away from that child.
I mind my business, unless it looks like something more than a poor method of discipline, like an actual attempt to injure. Kicking the shins, while a dick move to do to your child, falls into the “none of my business” category.
In this particular situation, I use the dad voice and say something, loud, along the lines of “Hey cut it out!” It usually, at the very least, gives the person pause to think about what they are doing in context. Now, if it’s a kid getting an old-fashioned spanking or some similar traditional physical punishment, I’m turning a blind eye. I don’t necessarily disagree with it.
Okay
Little shits usually need a good whipping. But i strongly believe in a line between discipline and abuse.
Not my monkey, not my circus