Wary Children
The problems of child molester Sid Landau, together with recent publicity urging parents to teach their children not to talk to strangers, have created a small but sad spinoff.
I am a grandfather who spent 20 years teaching music to children in elementary schools. I like children and in most cases they like me. I take great delight in talking to children, in observing how their wonderful young minds work. However, I strongly urge parents to be wary of strangers and to teach their children the same.
So now when I greet a small child I am often met with a sort of frozen/scared expression or else I am told, “I’m not allowed to talk to strangers.” And this is OK, kids should do this.
But because of perverts, all us nice old grandfathers can no longer engage small children in a friendly conversation.
And that’s a bummer.
DEANE BOTTORF
Corona del Mar
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
