• RGB3x3@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      As a man (I know starting a sentence that way can also be a red flag), I’m always nervous when kids interact with me.

      It feels like I’m being judged harshly for just wanting to be friendly and that I could so quickly be accused of being a pervert or worse.

      So I just don’t interact with them.

      My policy as a recently new father will also probably be that I won’t have my daughter’s friends over when I’m the only adult present.

      • Akuchimoya@startrek.website
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        11 months ago

        Get this: my friend is “not allowed” to be left alone with his daughter. His own daughter. If wife needs to go out without baby, baby gets dropped off at grandparents (wife’s parents) instead of just staying home with dad. What’s even more ridiculous is his profession is early childhood educator. He’s more qualified than most other parents out there, male or female. I don’t know how he puts up with being insulted like that.

        • charlytune@mander.xyz
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          11 months ago

          That’s beyond insulting, I’d call that a controlling / abusive relationship. And if his wife seriously thinks he’s a risk to their child why the fuck would she have a baby with him and stay with him? That poor kid is going to grow up with a really damaging view of men, male / female relationships, and parental relationships.

        • Ookami38@sh.itjust.works
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          11 months ago

          That’s actually disgusting. Does he want it like this for some reason? Is there something in the past? Or is it just “penises will rape, that’s what they do”?

          • Akuchimoya@startrek.website
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            11 months ago

            I don’t know how he puts up with it, but I do know why. He was alone since he was a teen, and now his wife and in-laws are his only family. His dream has always been having a family and community. He’ll bend over backwards to please his in-laws. It’s unfortunate they treat him like that, and while his wife is sweet, she’s a pushover and doesn’t stand up for him.

            Why the in-laws are like that? I don’t know.

            • ouRKaoS@lemmy.today
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              11 months ago

              Why the in-laws are like that? I don’t know.

              Projection. Definitely projection. Makes me trust them a lot less & I’m scared for that little girl.

    • space_of_eights@lemmy.ml
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      11 months ago

      What kind of society or culture considered being friendly towards children a red flag? Spoken as both a father of two and former child: you can be friendly to children without being a creep.

      • intensely_human@lemm.ee
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        11 months ago

        Spoken as a non-father it’s not so easy.

        I accept the risk because I refuse to participate in a system that cuts off kids from the adults around them, but I know that when I talk to a child I’m almost certainly going to be seen as a pedophile for it.