I almost feel bad about uncovering these parental myths every month. I know that some of you won’t believe me, others may argue and still others will respond like a kid that hears the truth about the tooth fairy. I really hate to burst your bubble, but someone has to set the record straight. So, in the absence of further myths, I am choosing to stray from my usual lament and discuss a certain behavior modification technique used by parents to propigate the myths. I refer to it as the “Some Kid From Iowa” technique.
Example: in order to prevent you from playing on an escalator, your parents may offer the following: “I heard that some kid from Iowa was playing on the escalator at Sear’s and got his feet sucked under the “teeth of the escalator.” it took hours to release him, and he ended up losing both feet.” (In passing, they may emphasize that this happened because he was “playing” on the escalator in the first place.) Note: this story also depends on which form of vertical transportation you are riding with your parents in the mall (for example, it is interchangeable with the same kid getting stuck in an elevator because he pushed all of the buttons).
Once again, “this kid from Iowa” is another attempt by parents to dissuade you from absolute fun. Really now, what is more fun in a department store than running the opposite way on an escalator. Actually, if it weren’t for the escalators and the “Carpet Sales” section (a.k.a. tumbling central), what real purpose does the department store serve for a kid? Like other techniques used in parental myths, little children have no way to access the truth and challenge their parents. So, as far as we know, “some kid from Iowa” does exist and he did get his feet stuck in an escalator.
It’s my assumption that this myth will eventually die out. With the internet, we (as parents of the new millenium) must be much more creative in our dissuasive techniques (kids today have the ability to research and find out that “that kid from Iowa” is fake and there have been no escalator injuries or fatalities).
To conclude this months section, if you are unfamiliar with this “fake kid” technique (like my wife), just pay a little more attention on your next escalator ride. I’m certain at least one adult will stumble (mostly mental) as they exit the moving staircase. If you confront this person, you may find they also don’t swallow their gum, swim after eating, or pop their knuckles.
Click here to read the other parental myths exposed!
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Posted on February 21st, 2006 by Fletch
Filed under: Meet my Dad, Meet my Mom, Parental Myths
[...] my parents could not care less if i was staring into the microwave, they just didn’t want me running up escalators or swimming in the pool before my food [...]
I just saw this linked from today’s post (I missed it first time around) and I have to say that it is most definitely NOT a myth. Here is a paper from an engineer on escalator injuries. It’s 10 years old, but there were 17,000 escalator related injuries requiring hospitalization that year. Many involved loose clothing and rubber boots getting caught in the side of the steps and pulling people in.
This study shows escalator injuries from one hospital’s emergency room over 5 years. One third of the children injured were riding improperly. Half of the injuries were due to entrapment between the steps. The other half were falls.
Even in adults, this study shows 21 deaths per year from workplace-related elevator and escalator injuries.
So, whereas I completely agree with you about the fact that parenting myths as scare tactics are wrong and should be avoided, the “kid from Iowa” is not necessarily fake, and there definitely HAVE been many, many escalator injuries.
I found all of this on the front page of results for “escalator injuries”.
Ha! Best response ever.
And completely in keeping with the ultimate point of your posts, I think. If you’re going to parent, just be honest, present the facts and let kids take responsibility for their actions.
Our two boys have taken to climbing out on the long beam that connects our swingset to the play structure. Parents have expressed horror, but we have told them the risks, explained what a fall will entail, told them that we’d prefer they didn’t, but ultimately we have backed off and let them make the choice, and are completely unafraid to say “well, you were told..” on the ride to the cast-setting clinic. It’s been tough, but a necessary exercise for us and for them, I think.
Always remember: there’s no injury so bad that an “I told you so” can’t make it just a little bit worse.
editor’s response: mr. pages offers the first public rebuttal…but i had plenty of “off site” responses to this one, including my sister-in-law whose son got his arm stuck in an elevator. guess i forgot that part of our family history…
so…any of you that think you can put shoelaces, torn cuffs, or loose digits into the escalator, don’t do it…and those that think putting your arm or head into an elevator door is smart…it’s not.
but…but…but…for those of you that want to “play on the escalator” – you have my permission. feel free to “walk the opposite direction”…run “up” the down escalator…ride the handrail…just be careful…and be prepared to hear about it from both my mother and yours…
quietly making noise,
fletch
mr. pages comes back with even more parental wisdom…
i have cringed when watching my youngest boy (8 at the time) at the top of our redwood tree (easily 30 feet in the air) dangling among the skimpiest branches…totally freaked out…
[...] tab into the can for fear that we’d swallow it and “rip open our stomachs” like that kid from Iowa [...]