When did we become the perfect judge?

From My Perspective

By Toni Walker

Editor

news@steelcountrybee.com

It seems like every time we turn around, there is another news report of a child who was injured or killed in some sort of odd, unexpected accident. First, the child fell into the gorilla cage, then a child was snatched by an alligator in Florida. Now, most recently, in our own little corner of the world, a baby fell into a lake and was unresponsive when the mother pulled him out.

After the child fell in the gorilla pit in Cincinnati, there was an outcry that the mother should be held liable, not only for not watching her child, but for the death of the gorilla, who zookeepers chose to shoot to protect the child. I was not there, I do not know the mother or the family. I do not know the circumstances that led to this accident happening. There was so much controversy over the fact that the animal was killed, to ensure the safety of the child. Tell me, when, as a society, did we begin valuing animal lives over the lives of our fellow man? Also, there was so much talk about how the mother was not watching her child, and should be cited for child endangerment, at the least. My question is this, what about the zoo? There was little talk about the zoo leaving a pen to a potentially dangerous animal open enough that this could even happen.

Just about a week after the gorilla cage incident, there was the case of the little boy who, while on vacation with his parents in Florida, was taken by an alligator. The child was playing near a lagoon on a major resort, and the alligator grabbed him. Again, the mainstream media and the general public began blasting the parents. “Why was the child playing in an area where swimming was prohibited?” “Why weren’t the parents closer to him?” “Why were there no precautions taken to keep wild animals from getting to the areas where people were?” These are all questions that were raised following this incident. Again, society was quick to judge and quick to blame the parents for this tragic accident.

Most recently, a young child, possibly less than two years old, was placed near the water’s edge at the Lone Star City Park. The child, according to reports, fell in the water and was face first in the water for approximately two to three minutes. Social media exploded with criticism of the mother, who, according to reports, was at the park with multiple children. No one mentioned the fact that the mother was the one who pulled the child out and performed CPR until the child was revived. But, then again, it is much easier to pass blame and judgement, rather than take the time to show compassion to a parent of family who has suffered great tragedy. I do not know any of the families in the situations.

I do not know what circumstances led to the parent or parents taking their eyes off their child. What I do know is this: kids are quick. Kids love to explore, and kids can get away from you in a heartbeat, even when you think you have your eye on them. It is reactions like those to the above situations that cause parents to feel like a failure when there is nothing they can do to help their child. When you have sat and watched your child die, knowing that it was not your fault, you still wonder what you could have done differently. Even though all the children involved in these incidences were not killed, I can assure you that the parents in each of these situations are still wondering what could have been done differently.

I am not saying that any of these incidences could not be prevented. What I am saying is that we as a society need to cut parents some slack. Yes, there are parents who couldn't care less if their child falls into the gorilla pen. But, from my perspective, not all parents are like that. In fact, most of them are not. So please, next time you see a report of a tragic accident involving a child, be considerate. Instead of passing blame, say a prayer for the child, the family, and the parents. Because, it could just as easily be your family involved the next time.