Can a grown male go to an elementary school playground alone and be near children? (Page 2)

Question

So this was a situation that happened today. My friend and I met at an elementary school with her two elementary-school-aged daughters. The girls were playing and we were walking. There's a very small loop around the play structure and we were never more than like 30 yards from them.  Well after a while we saw a man ride up on a bike, park it near the playground and then walk toward the girls. We stopped walking and instead walked closer to the girls.  This guy was easily over 25. Probably somewhere between 25 and 35. It was just weird. He started standing under some monkey bars and put his hands on them like he was going to do the monkey bars but his head was taller than them so... Also the playground had like 5 separate play structures and it was completely empty besides us and he opted to go to the structure that had an 8 and 6 year old?  The whole thing was hinky. I'm not saying a grown man CAN'T come alone to a children's playground... but he was acting very strange.  Odds are nothing was going to happen. The majority of men aren't baby-snatchers, and you have to be a special kind of stupid to try to grab a kid with two grown women present and a bike is not a good getaway vehicle lol but this guy was acting super strange.  My husband is in the Poll option C camp on this one. What do y'all think?

anylolone · Answer

No one outside of the parents (not even the parents depending of the situation) and school officials should be on elementary school playgrounds. They have a function and it ain't to service adults.

Also, if a bar is shorter than your shin, you can lift on it. But it's not the purpose of that bar.

Outofthegrey · Answer

This is just a form of sexism we've decided is ok. Adult women near kids is fine, adult men is not.

captain_voidwalker · Answer

Nope, I once took my nephews and niece to the park to play and had the cops called on me. After having to spen about 10 mins explaining to the cop that I was just talking my nephews and nice to the park to play, I was asked to take them and leave as I was making the mothers uncomfortable. Nice to see having a Y chromosome makes you a 2nd class citizen.

Brendan824 · Answer

I'm a grown man and still enjoy the swings from time to time but that's definitely a red flag and worthy of at least giving a description to the police NOT 911 but the other number and be like hey there's this suspicious guy came in on a bike and started getting closer to my friends kids

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

As a grown age 53 Male I would never go to a playground where there were grade school kids unless they were my cousins who are 7, 13, 6, 8 Yes he was strange and he sounds like a creep.

Hgdtuhf · Answer

I’m on c. I would never do that. As a man it’s unfortunate that we always get labelled bad things and are associated with being predators and bad things. I would probably feel uncomfortable at times with my own child in the future in some places. Maybe the guy just had some mental issues and was just remembering his childhood. Or just thought the kids looked cute playing in a non predatory way? But even I would think he’s suspicious. As a man you’ve just got to be clear of situations like this.

Gwenhwyfar · Answer

I voted B, but I’d be wary of a guy who did that. You’re a police officer. What does your training tell you?

genericname85 · Answer

only if he's the father of one of the kids there. otherwise people will automatically think, he's a pedo. i wish that shit wasn't true but that's how people think these days. i personally think it's horrible but i can't just ignore reality.

TrueConfection · Answer

C! That goes for any lone adult! What interest does an adult have in being on a playground? Something is off.

Avicenna · Answer

Id question his judgement, because it’s bound to be considered suspicious behavior. That said, wouldn’t someone looking to do harm to a kid want to do it outside of public view?

NYlatefun · Answer

I’ve noticed that in NYC some playgrounds have a notice that says that adults cannot go in if they’re not in company of a minor. And I agree, it’s odd that an adult, regardless of their gender, goes to a playground by themselves.

SnakeBoop · Answer

WTF. I do hope you took pictures of him and reported him to the police? Why the fuck is he touching little kids that are NOT his?

Subarugirl · Answer

All I can say is, as an adult, I wouldn't be hanging around a playground full of young children alone. Intentions aside it would look bad, that's like asking for trouble.

Youryeodongsaeng · Answer

It's pretty weird for both men and women who aren't teachers, parents or guardians.

lovedejj_xo · Answer

Female or male the school I’m at isn't going for that. Whoever it was would need to not speak to our students and I’d probably tell the teachers to bring them inside if that couldn’t be followed.

HighValue · Answer

It depends on if it was after school hours and the playground was open to the public.

legalboxers · Answer

So you mean to tell me a person can't just ride on a bike past an elementary school? So using your analogy - can you go into a walmart, homegoods, tj maxx, target unsupervised with a credit card?

msc545 · Answer

Men cannot go anywhere near children without women going crazy - calling him a pedophile, and calling the cops. Where I live women go crazy if a guy takes pictures of parks or kids.

Tstrbrainer · Answer

It might be odd, but it's not a crime in itself.  I would still love to play in a kid's park if I get the chance. It's awesome

larry69 · Answer

No just like if a single man goes to Chuck E Cheese or a restaurant playground. It is very weird and creepy. I dont even go to a park alone.

Can a grown male go to an elementary school playground alone and be near children? (Page 2)

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