Do You Think It's Okay For Parents To Put A Leash ON Their CHILDREN?

Question

I have seen some mothers and fathers have a leash around their child when walking down the street like some sort of dog. Is this perfectly normal or child abuse?

Answer 1

child abuse...no, extremely weird to the point that i would def judge those people and would never ever dream of doing it to my kid because it is degrading beyond comparison..........yes

Answer 2

I never leashed my children and thought it was cruel and unsual punishment but since , but now I completely changed my position. I believe , in some cases  leashing may be a life saver, especially if you have a child that is like an Energising Bunny ( Perpetual Motion)

.. I have never leashed my children, but in one instance a leash would have solved the problem.and avoided an accident. .With all the problem such as kidnapping  children running away from their mothers,  getting lost in malls ,  etc etc, leashing may become a necessity soon.

I have never used a leash, but one day my child  suddenly right in front on me darted across the road in a split second, and if it wasn't for a very expert driver who  manipulated the car, and hit a fence my child would have been killed. She was an Engergizer Bunny.Thanks be to God no one was hurt

The gentleman stopped and crossed himself. and I apologized and happily  paid for the repair of the fence. The gentleman was shaken but in control. and fine..His car was ok..

I know leashing seems  cruel  and heartless , but we are living in an automated cruel and heartless age. So , now I dont judge others who leash their children.

It is not abuse it is a necessity today.

Answer 3

I think it should be a law!  up to a certain age atleast. There are a lot of young kids drowning in neighbors swimming pools, getting run over by cars that are backing out of driveways, opening gates to yards with dogs etc!

Answer 4

In some situations if the child will not mind or take discipline I see nothing wrong with it.I don't see it as looking like a dog I see it as a parent who is totally frustrated with an aggravating child.The only child abuse involved is the abuse to the parent to have to retort to such a thing.You see a lot of it in large malls.

Answer 5

Well if there child is someone who likes to run away and get into trouble a lot then ok there.

But it just looks very...Unusual .

Answer 6

Yes, it is not hurting them!  

Answer 7

It's being smart. That way they can be sure their kids won't get lost or kidnapped when they are distracted. Some kids will run off and it's hard for parents to run after them. This is a good way to make sure they are around.  

Answer 8

yea, it's ok in places like disneyworld, the mall, etc. but walking down the street, a parent should be responsible enough to take care of their kids in such a close area...

Answer 9

Well, yes and no.

If the kid have full of energy or frantic , then my answer it's good idea to have on their leash on.

Answer 10

I guess some people view it as normal or they wouldn't use them. Personally, I hate those things. You're right, it makes the child like a dog.  Is it that hard to hold your child's hand and keep watch on them? I think they should be outlawed.  

Answer 11

I have seen parents put a leash on two or more tots at the mall.  Keeps them from wandering off.  If it is done smartly, I see no problem with it.

Answer 12

I know a child whose life was saved because of one of those child leashes.  If her father had not had her on the leash, she would have been hit by a car and probably killed, because she tried to dash out into traffic when the family was on vacation.

Answer 13

I think it's fine and I wish more parents would do it.  My mom used on one my brother, because he'd take off like a shot and she'd have to chase him down.

The fewer kids that are running around like monkeys on crack risking harm to themselves and others, the better.

Answer 14

I think so.My brother ran off once when he was a baby so my mom kept him on a leash.

Answer 15

I think it is fine.  When my kids were two I put one on.  They move so quick!  Even the best of parents could blink and their child could be in the street. I think when it comes to safety of my children, I personally don't care how I look to other people.  They are older now and are well balanced kids who definately don't have scars from mom putting them on a leash like a dog...lol

Answer 16

It's either that or they run into oncoming traffic  

Answer 17

i thought "How odd" and i was talking to my mother inlaw and she used it on her twins!  more so at games for her older son My love! :).

I asked her how she felt!  she said this

Kids are quick in a  blink of an eye they can run off, get hit by a car. get kidnapped, get hurt, and really i can nit pic this all day..

over all it's safer. more so with more then one kid!

plus it seems liek they have more freedom too!

i still find it slightly odd.  but why take a chance of any of those things happening when now we have the tools to help lessen it!

And even thought mothers from years ago never used them it's 2008 and acceptable!  

ODD but acceptable!  

Answer 18

I can see it to a certain extent, like if you're in a crowded airport or mall, or train station.

But, really, they're kids, not dogs.

Answer 19

i think its sick and i would never do it.

BUT if the kid would be running into the street or away from parents otherwise, it would be better. parents just need to watch their kids.

Answer 20

I think it is Ok in some situattions if you have a toddler who darts off (like in crowded places like a mall or airport). Not for everyday use though.

Answer 21

When I see something like that I think either

A). Their kid has some kind of leprosy and they don't want to hold his hand so that he doesn't dart off

or

B). They are lazy parents and are letting a device do their parenting for them

Either way, I don't let my kids near a kid wearing one just in case it's the first one.  

Answer 22

Depends on the child. Some are more prone to run away or dodge into the street. It's not abuse if you are trying to keep your child alive or uninjured. My son was very active, but I decided to be super vigilant as opposed to using a leash.  

Answer 23

yes its perfectly normal,they don't put dog leashs on them they put thee's specail child leashs on them so they don't run off,so don't be worried it doesn't hurt the children.

                                 hope i helped=D

Answer 24

Personally I think it is disgusting. It is lazy parenting and treats a kid like a dog. I know a few parents who did the leash thing. Later in all cases when the kids have gotten older it is the same..... "boo hoo I just don't understand why my child does not listen to me".

My kids.... they just learned how to behave and they were always watched and not put in a situation where they might wander off or get confused. At all times in all ways some part of my brain knew where they were at all times. That is what you do as a parent.

Plus kids need to explore and learn limits at the same time.

The soccer Mom who uses a leash..... lazy, disgusting and will later reap the rewards of using one.

Answer 25

The people who see this as cruel and such must either not have children or were blessed with children who don't act like children.  It doesn't matter how much you watch you kids, they will dart away from time to time and it only takes 1/2 a second.  You can't constantly hold your child's hand.  These child leashes are a life saver.  It's not a leash like a dog leash, as so many people falsely believe.  It's more like a harness, similar to what  you'd find to strap  your child into a car seat or stroller.  They don't hurt the child and prevent unspeakable accidents.  Abuse, no.  Smart, extremely!  

Answer 26

Normal Its helping the child learn how to walk and stay with the parent... Its for safety reasons its not like their treating them like dogs.

Answer 27

i dont think its child abuse but i think its horrible  

Answer 28

I've used a leash (puppy backpack) on my 3 yo before when I was pregnant with my twins.  She figured out that she could run faster than me and kept dashing off in the grocery store.

When my twins are old enough to be walking, I may use them on them too.  It depends on the situation.

I certainly don't use it on her every time I leave the house.  It's generally for when I'm going somewhere with my 4 kids where I'll have no "adult" backup (husband or friend).  It's not something I'd use at the park but more for parking lots and busy places where I may not be able to always have a hand on her/them.

Answer 29

This should be illegal and it should be considered abuse ~ possibly the only exception would be a handicap person but I seriously don't think that even a handicap person would allow this for their child

Don't have them if you can't care for them ~ it really isn't that difficult people

I mean seriously, keep them on a schedule the best you can, hug them, kiss them, smile at them daily, as they get older make sure you communicate w/ them and allow them some choices to choose so they can have some sort of independence.

Children are not dogs ~ good Lord I rarely put my dog on a leash, she knows to stay close to my side and she will listen when I feel she is straying to far  

Answer 30

In today’s society where even yelling at your child can be seen as child abuse, it makes it really difficult to discipline unless you’ve had some sort of training. I’ve seen these parents with the leash on their kids too.  I can only image that they are at their wits end with their child and the leash must be the only thing that works and doesn’t get them looks of shock or accusations of child abuse from onlookers.  

Answer 31

I could see it in a crowded place like a mall, but to walk down the street like that?  No way.  One should be able to keep an eye on a child in that situation.