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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not expect DS to be intimidated?

54 replies

MrsVictorUbogu · 02/08/2010 23:32

He was walking three doors up to play with his friend, when four teenagers came walking the other way. They deliberately spread out, forcing him right onto the edge of the kerb. And then were swearing and generally taking the piss out of him. He is six. He said nothing, did nothing to provoke them.

I was watching him walk up, from our door step, so I told them to lay off him.....FFS, they must have been 17/18, surely they have better things to do than intimidate a six year old?

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsVictorUbogu · 03/08/2010 00:47

Well, Heracles, that did seem to be your attitude to me....

OP posts:
Tiredmumno1 · 03/08/2010 00:51

Stop goading

and i meant bring them back to this country.

and i didnt mean so they can run around shooting people just to restore some bloody order.

you are making it sound like its ok they do this stuff and get away with it.

well i for one do not think it should be tolerated anymore.

the behaviour is disgraceful

BitOfFun · 03/08/2010 00:53

Oh come on. There are loads of lovely teenagers. I'm sorry that there was an incident there that was horrible, but yup, Broken Britain it ain't.

Heracles · 03/08/2010 00:54

Then you're easily insulted and have chosen to inflate someone's words to clamber onto a high horse; a symptom of modern Britain far more pernicious than bullying teenagers, I'd posit. There are times I'd swear everyone in the UK is offended by something, however slight and easy to brush off; it's weird and unhealthy.

I've experienced the "spreading across the pavement" thing numerous times and it's never pleasant, but that's all it was: an unpleasant incident. My reply was a more general comment on the direction the thread was taken (a small, yet admittedly unpleasant, incident whipped into acting as a metaphor for something far more complex).

I do genuinely feel your pain having witnessed it happening to your child; what can you do in these events? Probably nothing, and that's about right really, as it was, ultimately, nothing.
x

Tiredmumno1 · 03/08/2010 00:56

Yes bof there are loads of nice teens i agree there.

however the ones that are not so nice, never get taught a lesson, so if they think they can get away with it, then they will do it.

the police just cant handle it or cant be bothered to do bugger all about it.

Heracles · 03/08/2010 00:57

@tiredmum: no you didn't. You specifically called for the army to patrol our streets! My I suggest it's you doing the goading? After all, you've sucked me in for a start...

You're right though, where the army goes, peace and order will surely follow.

Enough derailment from me.

Tiredmumno1 · 03/08/2010 01:01

Heracles it was not nothing, and they should know better.

if it gets left then this country will at one point be broken britain.

sad i know but true.

oh and that commewmt is not just about teens but anyone who chooses to act like the neighbourhood bully.

Tiredmumno1 · 03/08/2010 01:03

Ok lets go with heracles and do bugger all, warms my heart to know people love our country and want whats best for it.

Tiredmumno1 · 03/08/2010 01:04

comments

Original poster
MrsVictorUbogu · 03/08/2010 01:06

I didn't mention anything about Broken Britain...just that my particular area is getting pretty rough. Five years ago, everyone wanted to live here. Now it is shit. Not because of amenities, just because most of the people here are shit. The older people all want to move away.

The point is a child should be able to walk along a pavement safely. And what if it wasn't nothing? What if I hadn't been standing there watching him and they had done something worse? I have every right to be pissed off with the situation, even if there is nothing I can do about it!

OP posts:
Tiredmumno1 · 03/08/2010 01:06

and why could the army not help restore peace? the police are not exactly the brightest sparks

Heracles · 03/08/2010 01:07

But it's always been thus! Go check out the history of Juvenile Deliquency; it's as old as the written word itself.

It's not right, it's never pleasant but it's not a symptom of anything bigger than human nature.

Heracles · 03/08/2010 01:11

@Mrs: If you're going to worry about what might have been then you're in for a word of unnecessary worry. I can't comment on where you live so I have nothing to say about that, either in agreement nor disagreement. Everyone seems t think their area's getting worse when the facts would suggest this simply cannot be true, but, as I say, you may be an exception.

@tired: because it'll be a case of a sledgehammer cracking a nut. The army isn't designed to police and the collateral damage would far outweigh any potential benefit.

Tiredmumno1 · 03/08/2010 01:14

i am going to bed

just one thing i never done anything like that as a kid nor did i know anyone who behaves in such a vile way.

op our area has also got steadily worse over the last couple of years, just stick up for your own.

hope this never happens again x

matumble · 03/08/2010 01:14

because the armed forces have as many rules as the police to follow

Heracles · 03/08/2010 01:17

Exactly. What does Tired think the army will do? Shoot delinquents?! Drive tanks over litterbugs?

And if you think you pay too much council tax now for your police force; well...

Original poster
MrsVictorUbogu · 03/08/2010 01:18

Thanks Tired Mum...

OP posts:
FallingWithStyle · 03/08/2010 01:20

Oh god....why does Every. Bloody. Thread. have to descend into point scoring and oneupmanship?

Was a horrible incident for OPs little boy - I'm sure she just wanted to get it off her chest and have a rant, it's surely not necessary for the thought monitors to regale us all of their superior understanding of society.

...and breeeeeeeeeeeathe but really, ffs, no one here is passing laws. Its just the sodding internet.
Stop going over everything with a fine tooth comb - it really doesn't matter. Really.

Tiredmumno1 · 03/08/2010 01:20

No probs op

and heracles i obviously dont think, i am stupid so forget about it, does that make you feel better.

goodnight from the thick one

matumble · 03/08/2010 01:21

Mrs Victor well done for standing up to them, in my experience of living on a very rough estate where noone ever said anything, when i spoke up i was left alone afterwards as i had the guts (post baby hormones more like) to tell them off. hope its the last you see of them

matumble · 03/08/2010 01:23

my point was a straight one tiredmum, slightly hijacked by heracles, but i meant it the rules the forces have to abide by would probably leave their hands even more tied than the police in this country. I can understand your logic though

Heracles · 03/08/2010 01:25

I've no quarrel with anyone. First stone cast etc: go re-read the thread.

Your words of wisdom are hugely appreciated though. x

Original poster
MrsVictorUbogu · 03/08/2010 01:28

Lol, FallingWith Style, that's exactly what I wanted.....to get it off my chest! DH is at work, and I had no-one else to tell.

Matumble, thankyou. I hate having to stand up to all these idiots, but like you said, no-one else does. Although, since I started standing up to them/calling police some of my neighbours have done too.

Heracles, grow up.

OP posts:
matumble · 03/08/2010 01:29

no heracles, tiredmum offered useful advice, you came in and wound up, doesnt change my point but you used it to push a bit more with, you seem to be having fun stirring though so i dont intend to respond more to you

Tiredmumno1 · 03/08/2010 01:30

Matumble thanks for explaining, i do understand what you mean know

h i am not in for tit for tat, so no hard feelings

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