Post # 1
Member
1309 posts
Bumble bee
The Omaha Police Union reposted this video of a young boy having a discussion with adults who were filming him, and teaching him to use the n word many obscene words,how to flip people off, asking him about his gang affiliation, and so forth. They didn’t orignally post the video (the family did) but they reposted and publicized it.
warning – nsfw and really graphic language. The only thing blurred is the toddler’s face. It’s followed by a news report and round table discussion where apparently some people are concerned that the police department is pushing racist overtones by using the “thug cycle” label about the situation. Which I can see that point too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIUpvtIqgKw
My sister used to work in a deep poverty city school district and she had to spend half her classroom time trying to resocialize kids from homes like this.
Supposedly nothing criminal happened in this video – I think this is an example of child abuse. Unfortunately with the current emphasis on birth family presevation CPS probably won’t do too much. What say you.
Post # 3
Member
1895 posts
Buzzing bee
It’s a horrible endless cycle. its not fair for these poor kids, who do t know any better at that age.
Post # 4
Member
7904 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
- Wedding: March 2012 - Pelican Grand Beach Resort
I don’t think removing children from homes would be a good solution since there already aren’t enough homes for the children taken for much worse things. The best thing we can do is educate well and provide social safety nets. Instead of funneling money into removing kids from (hopefully) loving, but clearly misguided parents, we should funnel that money into better education, especially early childhood education so that this boy and ones like him do not grow up to do the same.
Post # 5
Member
1211 posts
Bumble bee
@mrsSonthebeach: As a CPS caseworker, +100000
That being said, I’m pretty sure this child WAS removed from the home based on other safety concerns found by CPS.
ETA: Yes, he and his siblings were removed.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/08/us/nebraska-swearing-toddler/
Post # 6
Member
1309 posts
Bumble bee
@mrsSonthebeach: I guess where I differ is that sure, parenting can be taught. How to discipline, how to control your own emotions, and so forth. But some things can not be taught, for instance I don’t know the level of education that would reach a family who collectively think it’s okay to call a child a bitch.
It may be cynical but I just have no hope for change in that situation.
I read a follow-up in my hometown newspaper after googling and this child was born to a 15 year old mother.
We have higher standards for letting someone behind the wheel of a car than we do for letting someone parent. In my state she wouldn’t be old enough to get a temporary driver’s permit, but she IS old enough to walk out of a hospital with a baby.
And yet it would be pretty creepy for the state to “license” people to be parents.
Post # 7
Member
7904 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
- Wedding: March 2012 - Pelican Grand Beach Resort
@Magdalena: I’m fairly libertarian (with a lowercase l) when it comes to rights, so I cannot justify making any efforts to limit a person’s rights to procreate. Parenting support, free parenting classes, etc. might have helped that mother. Having the son go to daycare with trainer professionals (not new high school grads making $7.75/hr who did a CPR course and watched some videos) every day could make a huge difference to combat the lessons he’s learning at home.
Post # 8
Member
333 posts
Helper bee
That child will be no better off in foster care. I agree with pretty much everything mrsSonthebeach said. All those resources are definitely worth a shot.
Post # 9
Member
14496 posts
Honey Beekeeper
I live in Omaha. I know the head of the police union. Several children, including the 3 year old child’s 16 year old mother, have all been removed from the home. The child’s grandmother, uncle, and several other relatives in the home have been arrested for a myriad of crimes.
Post # 10
Member
1246 posts
Bumble bee
@tksjewelry: yes. Including having their house shot up, which resulted to an injury to the toddler. I don’t have an answer, but I hope the children find a loving, stable home.
Post # 11
Member
799 posts
Busy bee
yeah and i also saw where the sixteen year old mother said something along the lines of all children that age speak like that. Disgusting.
Post # 12
Member
4035 posts
Honey bee
@Magdalena: I work at an urban public school with 89% of our students on free or reduced lunch. The language some of the students use (in 5th-8th grade) is quite shocking sometimes. We spend a lot of time trying to teach them how to speak and interact respectfully. It is really difficult, especially when the parents do not support what the school is doing.
Post # 13
Member
46 posts
Newbee
@MsMonkey: +11111. The video itself would not rise to the level of abuse as defined by most CPS agencies. Poor parenting, yes, but not a CPS case. There are lots of parents out there teaching their children to say ridiulous things. That it happened to bring attention to a family and other issues were found is one thing, but I think the use of this video by police officers to perpetuate stereotypes about “thug life” is really very harmful and unprofessional.
