Do you think that teaching your children not to talk to strangers actually protects them?

Question

not every stranger has bad intentions, right?

Answer 1

I never taught my children not to talk to strangers.  I talk to strangers all the time, so I didn't think it made sense to teach them that I was doing something wrong.  I did teach them never to go with anyone, and never to take anything from anyone.  Of course, most strangers are perfectly safe, but you never know and it is your job to protect your child.  My first child wasn't terribly friendly, but my second would go with anyone who held out his hand to her.  No matter what you teach them, you can't ever leave a child alone.  You have to watch them like a hawk, and that's the only way to really protect them.

Answer 2

I think it's a step in the right direction. You're right, not ever stranger has bad intentions, and, in fact, not every person with bad intentions towards a child is a stranger [some are relatives/friends of parent(s.)]  But it's safer for a child if she or he is taught not to speak to strangers -- it might narrow down the number of persons who can take advantage of the child.

Answer 3

No, but do you want to take that chance?  We can't teach children to be criminal profilers, so you have to go with the conservative route.  It's not rocket science -- common sense.

Answer 4

i do think it protects them.... not all strangers have bad intetions... but it only takes one who has bad intentions to f*ck up sumones life....

Answer 5

i don think so bcause  if u don then they wont 2 talk 2 normal ppl like teachers or ur cousin

Answer 6

No i don't because children truly don't understand the concept of a stranger.

Answer 7

i think it protects them and harms them

of course they are safe

but in the long run i think the whole stranger issue has made the world a really cold, unfriendly place, I completely  understand the fact that people have to cautious its just really sad that people cant just love eachother, but instead have to be fearful

Answer 8

Yes and no.  Kids at different ages grasp different things.  If I tell a 2 or 3 year old not to talk to strangers they will have no clue as to what I mean.  If we tell a 4 to 6 year old not to speak to strangers without going into detail what a stranger is they too will have no idea.  And how do you explain a stranger.  If you say it is someone you dont know.  What about Policemen, firemen, teachers, their friends parents etc.  If your 4 to 6 year old gets lost while you are shopping and they know not to talk to strangers how is anyone going to help them?  Instead of teaching our children not to speak to strangers we should be teaching them what is okay to say and do with a stranger and what is not.  Like it is not okay for someone other than their family to hug or kiss them.  It is not okay to get into a car with anyone unless Mommy and Daddy has told them they could.  Things like that are more practical.

Answer 9

It can certainly do no harm, but the child should report the attempted interaction to their guardian.  and define the person if possible.  No, not every stranger has bad intentions, but 98% of them are letches.  And I'll bet my  next paycheck that most of them have a record.

Answer 10

no, but we would like to take every precaution. because even if not all strangers are bad, what is the chance of the one you child might encounter with not be bad. just teach them the basic and never take anything from anyone that kind of thing. so the basics should do.......for a while. and when they get older teach them the higher deals. so, i hope this helps you protect your child. and i hope this is best answer????lol.