About two years ago, I was on the subway, and this girl that looked to be about sixteeen was on there with her two boys. The baby was about 2 years old. She would make him laugh, then slap him to get him to cry. The train was crowded, and I am ashamed to say, none of us did anything. Should I have done something, or did I do the right thing by not interfering. (I wanted to slap her really badl).
2007-03-15 10:20:49 · 26 answers · asked by Mrs. E 4 in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
Just so you know, I did not have a cell phone, and I was really not sure if anyone would back me up if I did interfere.
2007-03-15 10:46:02 · update #1
oh gosh, thats terrible. i would b to shocked to say any thing. that does sound like a tough situation to be in, I would start talking to the lady "oh, what a cute baby. . . what's his name?" all that stuff to distract her. "What's that you were playing?" i'd just want her to understand that it's just wierd for her to do that. I think you did the right thing!
2007-03-15 10:25:25 · answer #1 · answered by LivexYourxLifex 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That's horrible. The girl obviously had severe problems and was not capable or deserving of raising that child. I don't know what I'd have done in your place, but I think calling the police then and there might have solved a lot of problems, if they were quick enough to make it to the trains next stop. Unfortunately this wasn't necessarily possible and there's not much that could be done if no-one else on the subway could identify her. It's also unfortunate that it seems to be human nature to do nothing in a horrifying situation like this. Especially when there are a lot of people watching. It makes it even harder to step out of the crowd. That's why I say I don't know what I would have done. I guess there's not much you can do now except ask yourself "what did we learn?".
2007-03-15 10:29:24 · answer #2 · answered by Jazzycat 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes you should have done something but don't beat yourself up about it now. There is a kind of group mentality when something bad happens where everyone wants to do something but they are waiting to see if someone else steps forward first. Several years ago there was an incident in Detroit, MI where a young woman hit a car and the driver of the other car pulled her out and started beating her. Several other cars stopped and people got out but everyone one was afraid to make the first move. The beating was so bad that the girl in desperation jumped off a bridge even thought she couldn't swim and she died. Many of the witnesses claimed they wanted to do something but they were waiting for others to start in first. In the future if you see a child being slapped scream, yell and make a huge scene and I think you will find other people will join in. When the subway stops find a police officer and point the woman out to him or notify the train conductor to have authorities meet the train at the next stop.
2007-03-15 10:34:22 · answer #3 · answered by 2craz4u 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hard to call. A crowded sub and no one responded to the aide of this defenseless child? HMMMM, i would begin to wonder if these people at the sub would kick my butt if I enterfiere but I will share this with you........I was walking to the store and in front of my apartment was this guy and gal arguing and fighting (hands on ) with this small child in the mothers arms. I, like you, thought what should I do..I went along on my way to the store hopeing it would go away by the time I returned from across the street, but it didnt. I then decided these people wanted it to be my problem by continueing there abusive behavior on the streets. The streets is public, therefore privacy is out the window right. So I told them if they didnt stop the abuse in front of the child or drop the child off somewhere aways from there physical violence I would make a phone call to the police. I said this at a distance in front of a pay phone. The guy shouted to mind my busness. And then hit the lady and pulled her hair with child in her arms. SO i picked up the phone and the lady shouted no, no I love him. I shouted to her if you guys keep it public for us all to see then I must respond for the childs sake. SO I finished the call. then i left. Hope this helps.
2007-03-15 10:29:28 · answer #4 · answered by beachgirl90 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would say she could have been the baby-sitter seeing that she looked 16 and the baby was about 2.
I would have stepped in and asked what the hell she was doing. If she got stroppy with me for stepping in, I would say that the others on the train would also get at her.
It only needs one person to say something. It's just that a lot of people don't want to be the first one involved.
2007-03-15 10:28:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would have said something. I know it can be tough, but think of that poor kids life. If that's what she thinks is acceptable in public, what is she doing in private? A good idea may have been to inform the conductor to call the police or to call the police from a cell phone and have them arrest her as she got off the train. I saw a man putting his hand over a little girl's mouth and nose so she couldn't breath. she was about 7 years old and was struggling and kicking and trying to get away. He had his back to me and didn't know I saw him. He realized I was there and he and his family left in a big hurry as he yelled at me to mind my own business. He got away before the cops got there. I think of her often and wonder how her life is. I also think of her stupid mother who left with him and her daughter and wonder how she could allow that.
2007-03-15 10:25:21 · answer #6 · answered by Athena 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I understand why you didn't step in. I bet you were shocked and felt powerless. Especially since no body else was doing anything either.
However, I tend to say things with out thinking. I probably would've asked her, "what are you doing to that baby?" to which she probably would've wanted to pick a fight with me.
But to get to the point. I think that the only thing a person can do in that situation, is call the cops and keep the person in sight so that the cops can find them.
2007-03-15 10:27:53 · answer #7 · answered by JennieDee 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
maybe you should have said something to her, but i am sure she would have told you to stay out of her business. I definetely think that this person needs to be reported because she was abusing those kids publicly and maybe it was a "cry for help", especially if she herself was 16 and the Mom of those two kids.
Not sure who to report this to in a situation like this. Maybe somebody at the train subway station?
2007-03-15 10:28:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well you were wrong to do nothing about it but its understandable why , she probably would have stabbed you later or something lol. No but seriously its best to just stay out of it and try and get some help before you think about tackling the situation , you can never know what might happen.
2007-03-15 10:25:19 · answer #9 · answered by The Beautiful Ordinary 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely, call the police. I know here in the Bay Area, our BART trains have phones that connect directly to the conductor who could have had the police get on at the next stop.
2007-03-15 10:24:47 · answer #10 · answered by missj70 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should have done something!!!
That was just wrong.To many babys all over the turning up dead because every one just walks away!I personally would have walked over,smacked the **** out of her and took the babys.The way the generation is today.It`s been nothing but a great big orgey for about 4 years now.Getting pregnant is the new fade today!All these kids need help!!!!
2007-03-15 10:28:21 · answer #11 · answered by faithfully ronnie`s 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋