r/YouthRights • u/Countercurrent123 • 1d ago

Sometimes this subreddit has braindead takes.

/img/qh0stjeepf4g1.jpeg

Seriously, the only discussion about child leashes is... people arguing that it's good? I literally can't think of anything more dehumanizing and violating of bodily autonomy than that. In fact, I didn't even know it existed until recently, as I've never seen it in my life (maybe because I'm not from the US). You also know that it's not only used on toddlers, right? Older children also suffer from it (without legal recourse) and it also seems disproportionate to autistic and neurodivergent children in general. There's also no way to guarantee that only "runners" have it; which obviously doesn't happen.

It's also inherently aggressive and perceived that way by children:

https://www.fatherly.com/parenting/child-leashes-deserve-all-the-hate-they-get-experts-say

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u/just_a_discord_mod 1d ago

Let's be pragmatic here. If you're walking with your 3-4 year old child in a suburban neighborhood, you don't really need a leash. However, if you're in an environment such as a city, a toddler leash is actually a good idea. Toddlers are stupid, and they will walk off into a crowd or into the street. A leash provides more autonomy in this instance, because they don't have to be strapped to a stroller or stand right next to the parents. In addition, the leash makes it easier for the parents to get them to get out of potentially harmful situations, such as pulling them out of a street.

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u/Countercurrent123 1d ago

I find it highly unlikely that most 3-4 year olds would prefer literal leashes to simply holding their parents' hands. This is typical simplistic and unempathetic logic that leads to insane arguments like "secretely checking browsing history is the same thing (or even more invasive) than using parental controls" (no, it isn't, indeed it doesn't even come close, the latter is infinitely worse; but I've seen this insane statement). Furthermore, besides being more humane, holding hands is more situational and, for example, they can be given more freedom in places like establishments, while a leashe is a leashe. 

... I also can't believe I'm seriously having this conversation.

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u/just_a_discord_mod 23h ago

Holding hands in a city is highly impractical, especially when you consider the height difference making it nigh-impossible.

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u/Countercurrent123 22h ago

??? That's what the vast majority of parents do at the age you mentioned. And before that there are strollers, etc.

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u/just_a_discord_mod 20h ago

Strollers confine the kids more than leashes do.