Citation

Wojtys EM. Sports Health 2013; 5(2): 123-124.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1941738113475594

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

It's hard to discuss the safety of a kid's world without thoughts of the Newtown, Connecticut, tragedy of 2012 entering into my mind. How sad that was! Twenty 6- and 7-year-olds murdered by a mentally ill gunman. Most folks would like to do something to prevent such tragedies, but answers to the question "how?" aren't easy. Some say increased gun control, while others want to put police officers in every school. It seems to me that as long as there are severely disturbed individuals walking our streets that aren't receiving help, there will always be diabolical ways for them to lash out and hurt the innocent.

I wonder how this most recent tragedy affects young children of today in Newtown, Connecticut, as well as across the country. No doubt those closest to the tragedy will show the greatest effect. How much more fear of the unknown and mistrust of those around them has been introduced into their lives? It's tough enough dealing with the unavoidable fears of childhood, like the boogeyman under the bed or in the closet that comes out at night; kids don't need the added fears of these tragedies. Many will probably view school differently now, no longer believing that school is a safe haven. Add another item to the list of places to feel insecure. Additionally, many more parents may turn to homeschooling....

Language: en