Prepare to be shocked. Or not. There is something disturbing going on in playgrounds south of the border. Remember 'kissing tag,' the exhilarating chase game that culminated in a peck by (if you were lucky) a cute boy. Well, the new variant isn't quite so cute.
'Rape tag' does just what it says on the label. Instead of kissing or freezing, the kid has to humped to be unfrozen.
A shocked parent alerted a Minnesota elementary school after witnessing the game in action.
Principal of Washington Elementary School in New Ulm, Bill Sprung then had the fun task of sending a letter home to parents describiing the phenomenon.
“This age level of kids—10, 11, 12 is a time when kids start to mature; start to experiment," said Sprung. "Part of that experimentation is that they do things we wish they wouldn’t have done.”
And although teachers and recess supervisors managed to nix the game, parents were galled to have to discuss the term rape with their Grade fivers.
Kids are growing up faster than ever. Most of the kids probably didn't understand what they were doing, someone 11 year old among them, incredibly, knew enough to name the game.
“Kids are known for pushing the offensiveness envelope, and I’m sure the ones at Washington thought they were being hilarious. Let’s hope they’ve learned that rape isn’t ... funny,” wrote Anna North at Jezebel.
One commentator described playing a game called 'Suicidal Toys' in kindergarten. Others worried that such games sowed the seeds for darker, frat-like behaviour later in life.
Harmless play or a telltale that today's kids are navigating darker terrain than we did 20 years ago?
Poor Gwenie can't seem to open her mouth these days without courting controversy. The actress first stirred it with her (fairly innocuous) commentary about adultery. Now, while promoting her lifestyle website, Goop, in the spring issue of Harper Bazaar, the 39-year-old mom of two is getting stick for admitting she still bathes with her kids, Apple, 7, and Moses, 5.
So much for her staunch organics business; it's Paltrow's parenting choices that ultimately wind up making headlines.
“I'll continue to bathe with my daughter until she's an adult if she so wishes. I want her to be comfortable with her body, and the best way to encourage that is to show her I'm comfortable with mine,” said one Baby Gaga commentator.
Others claimed there should be a cut-off time, as with breastfeeding. “Once they can talk about it, it’s time to stop.”
My husband and I still occasionally share a bath with our 3-year-old son, but I am fully aware that that window is fast closing. While I am enjoying the innocent ritual, I presume one day I will 'just know' when to call it quits. I am guessing it will start to feel weird for both of us. Then will come the talk about private parts being private.
Nudity may be all well and good for Europeans, but let's face it, we're not European. I for one wasn't raised to regard my parents prancing around au naturel as natural. It may be legal for women to go topless in public, but theory and practice are what apples are to oranges. Nudity is still sexualized in North America, like it or not.
Assuming you have a big enough tub, like the Paltrow clan, is co-bathing taboo? At what age? Is gender a factor?
Certain Britax Chaperone infant car seats have been recalled, as the rivet to secure the harness adjuster can potentially detach from the seat shell, thereby insufficiently restraining the child and comprising safety while driving. The following models are subject to the recall:
Britax has received approximately 57 reports of incidents in the United States, and three in Canada.
Customers are advised to contact Britax Child Safety, Inc. via their website or toll-free number 1-888-427-4829 to request a free repair kit.
Due to the potential seriousness of the defect, if the harness adjuster has separated from the car shell, customers should discontinue use of the seat and contact Britax immediately.
Approximately 3,600 of the car seats were sold in Canada.
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