Children see…
My son is 14 years old and has been studying ballet since he was 5. He’s a beautiful boy (I know…all mothers say stuff like that about their kids…but he is!) and he is also a beautiful dancer. Unfortunately, he has had to endure endless ridicule and harassment…even moved cities to distance himself from the kids that would call him names and from the physical abuse aswell.
I needed to paint that picture for you first before I told you of his recent visit home.
He’d been over at an old friends house when on the way home a car pulled up beside him and a female friend from high school and her uncle were inside. She invited him over to her place and he happily accepted the ride (he figured as she lived closer to our home it wouldn’t be as far to walk when he left!) Anyway, I digress…When they arrived at the girls house her father came out to greet them.
‘So who’s ya fagot friend?’ says the dad. Then proceeds to name call, point and poke at my son. My son extends his hand toward the man as to shake his hand and introduce himself (as one does if they have any manners!) when the man begins to ‘prance’ round waving his limp wristed hand in front of him. Then says to his daughter…’Can’t you find a real BOY friend, gotta bring home a pansy!’
Of course by this stage my son has had enough, thanks the girl and uncle for the ride and heads home. By the time he arrives home he is upset, hurt and angry. He explains the story to my husband and I with a “it doesn’t matter…I don’t really care” But he does care and so do I.
What this did point out to me is exactly where the kids, who over the years have ridiculed my son get it from…Their PARENTS! How sad it is that narrow minded, abusive parents raise narrow minded abusive kids.
Are our children products of their environment?
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exactly that’s why it nevr seems to change a whole lot it gets passed down from generation to generation…
That is SO true Robert. The cycle needs to be broken and only then will we be rid of such narrow minded people.
hi buffy, thanks for the visit.
the girl’s dad is such a typical bully. ballet requires focus, concentration and a balanced mind. now let’s see if he can do that!
Some people have such a pack mentality - they look for someone different and attack. Your son is obviously a brave and intelligent person who understands the problem lies with those who bully him… In a situation involving two adults - and potential role-models - your son handled the situation in a mature and courageous way. Forget them - let’s keep the light focussed on your son! Well done!
Thanks for the post and the video.So true, it is up to US to break out of the cycle, provide love and set the example.
History has shown that parents have the greatest influence on “who” their children become, and how they will behave as adults. Children watch, listen and learn how to behave by following the parents lead, and imitating them. Sadly, those children raised by ignorant, racist, predjudice, violent, or just plain narrow minded people, will become the same as adults and raise their children the same way.
The only way to break the cycle, is to re-educate the parents. Failing that, we have to rely on the next generations being able to educate themselves.