Taking minors to social fuctions.

mike c · Mar 25, 2009

Apug is a great place from people to learn about analog photography. So I'm very pleased when young people become involved in this site, they will be the future of analog photo after us older folk are dead and gone. However there is I think precautions to be taken as anything we do as adult members could affect Apug as a whole. So my question is what are your thought and views about taking minors to trips for shooting film or photo shows who are members or subscribers who are not your own family members. Take one of there parents or adult family with, or another adult Apug member along to?
Mike C:confused:

Christopher Walrath · Mar 25, 2009

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.167 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102 UP.Link/6.3.0.0.0)

If you are taking a minor to an APUG event I would let everyone know in advance and ask if they could keep it clean. It would be a great resource for the youngsters. If you are toting a child's friend, let the friend's parents make the decision. If they want to tag along, put a camera in their hands and let them join in on the fun. It would be like APUG-Adopt-A-Family.

DJGainer · Mar 25, 2009

Introduce yourself to the parent/guardian. If you don't you could be looking at a world of trouble when you're just being polite and open.

mike c · Mar 25, 2009

Thanks for replaying Chris, Just recently I was trying to get a car pool thing together to go to Matt"s show in Riverside and invited any Apug members to come with me, had one for sure but found out they were a minor felt a little uneasy about that with out another adult going also. Hated to let them down.I didn't think about the content of the show. My point is that its sometimes hard to find someone to shot film an I would not mind having a photo tog tagging along while I depart pearls of wisdom (well I'v made a few good pics) to help them along. Hay , Apug-Adopt-A-Family sounds good.I would like more input on the matter.Mike

mike c · Mar 25, 2009

DJGainer said:
Introduce yourself to the parent/guardian. If you don't you could be looking at a world of trouble when you're just being polite and open.

Yes that is what my wife said. thanks Mike

BobNewYork · Mar 25, 2009

Introducing yourself to the parents is a must. It's not just CYA on your part but it saves the worry on the parents' part. It also saves them the embarrassment of having to interrogate you, (which they should if they're any sort of parent) and risk insulting you - when all you're doing is a good deed!

Bob H

mike c · Mar 25, 2009

That is good advise Bob, I was also thinking what Chris said about content of the show,have to get hold of Matt for that,I hope he's not to busy.
Mike

MikeSeb · Mar 25, 2009

I'm a bit slow on the uptake here; what is the issue? Unaccompanied minors on day trips with strange adults? Adult-only content at the shows/functions?

Dan Henderson · Mar 25, 2009

MikeSeb said:
I'm a bit slow on the uptake here; what is the issue? Unaccompanied minors on day trips with strange adults? Adult-only content at the shows/functions?

Well, I would be more concerned about the former. In today's sad world, children need protection from adults, and adults need protection from accusations or suspicions of being alone with children.

But I think your second point is well made as well. If someone plans to take a minor to an APUG event, I think it would behoove the "someone" to make sure the minor's parents know that there may be photographs showing nudity or other subject matter to which the parents might object.

mike c · Mar 25, 2009

Ya Dan,this is true about how the world is now,after 40yrs as photography being a hobby I have learned a lot, would like to share some of that so its pasted on. Thought it'd be nice to help a young person just starting out in photography .
Hi Mike, I was gonna take another Apug member to see the Riverside show that Matt&company are putting on . I found out later that they were only 16 and felt a little uncomfortable about them being a minor,so I canceled the trip. Thought I'd ask the forum of there thoughts on this. Mike

TheFlyingCamera · Mar 25, 2009

At 16, I think it may have been a bit of an over-reaction to cancel- if they were 12, I'd completely understand. Leastaways, when I was 16, lots of the kids I went to school with had cars and got out of the house on their own, or had their friends come over and take them out to do god knows what all day. And kids didn't have cellphones to call and let mom know what they were doing.

BobNewYork · Mar 25, 2009

TheFlyingCamera said:
At 16, I think it may have been a bit of an over-reaction to cancel- if they were 12, I'd completely understand. Leastaways, when I was 16, lots of the kids I went to school with had cars and got out of the house on their own, or had their friends come over and take them out to do god knows what all day. And kids didn't have cellphones to call and let mom know what they were doing.

You're right - but times have changed. I used to disappear all day at 10 yrs old and go all over London on the "Rover" tickets, (unlimited bus and subway travel) - would never have let my kids to that at that age - and that's nearly 15 years ago. Sucks as far as I'm concerned because I'm sure that kid would've enjoyed the show - and got a lot of information and experience. I used to do private photography tutoring and any minors coming to my darkroom I would insist on a parent in attendance - at least for the first few sessions. I would always wait for the parents to tell me they didn't need to come - and they did, usually after the first or second session!

Bob H

johnnywalker · Mar 25, 2009

If the parents approved of the trip, I think canceling is a bit of an over-reaction.

mike c · Mar 25, 2009

johnnywalker said:
If the parents approved of the trip, I think canceling is a bit of an over-reaction.

yes that was a little rude of me to cancel perhaps I being overly cautious but its done now.

BobNewYork · Mar 26, 2009

I don't think I'd call it rude Mike - it's just that there are risks not worth taking. My wife teaches 5th grade, (10-11 year olds). Last year in a gym class, a young girl's pony-tail came adrift. The kid was all bothered by it, (you know women!!) and a male gym teacher put the pony-tail back in place. Note, this was in the middle of the gym class. The guy was accused of "fondling" the kid, it all hit the fan with the upshot that the teacher was suspended while an investigation was conducted. He was exonerated, of course, and reinstated but he ended up leaving the xchool district anyway.

In these situations it's the rumour, insinuations and suspicion that'll kill ya. I don't want to ressurect the isssue - but look at the recent Jock Sturges thread.
It's a shame because now teachers are scared to even hug a kid who's upset for whatever reason - just not worth the risk.

It's a classic case of he few screwing it up for the rest of us. The consequences are far reaching too. One small example - "your" sixteen year old who lost out on a great opportuny to pursue her interest in photography.

Bob H

Steve Roberts · Mar 26, 2009

mike c said:
what are your thought and views about taking minors to trips for shooting film or photo shows who are members or subscribers who are not your own family members.:

No problems at all. I've often wanted to take Arthur Scargill out with me for a shooting session. Different kind of miner and different kind of shooting, though.

Steve

railwayman3 · Mar 26, 2009

BobNewYork said:
I don't think I'd call it rude Mike - it's just that there are risks not worth taking. My wife teaches 5th grade, (10-11 year olds). Last year in a gym class, a young girl's pony-tail came adrift. The kid was all bothered by it, (you know women!!) and a male gym teacher put the pony-tail back in place. Note, this was in the middle of the gym class. The guy was accused of "fondling" the kid, it all hit the fan with the upshot that the teacher was suspended while an investigation was conducted. He was exonerated, of course, and reinstated but he ended up leaving the xchool district anyway.

In these situations it's the rumour, insinuations and suspicion that'll kill ya. I don't want to ressurect the isssue - but look at the recent Jock Sturges thread.
It's a shame because now teachers are scared to even hug a kid who's upset for whatever reason - just not worth the risk.

It's a classic case of he few screwing it up for the rest of us. The consequences are far reaching too. One small example - "your" sixteen year old who lost out on a great opportuny to pursue her interest in photography.

Bob H

Sad when things get to this point...I sometimes wonder about the minds and imaginations of people who make these accusations , like the complaint against your gym-teacher.

Nevertheless, one should always, if only for old-fashioned courtesy, fully discuss any proposed outings, etc., with a minor's parent or guardian, and make sure that they totally understand and approve where and what the event is. If you or they are in any doubt, just leave it.

BobNewYork · Mar 26, 2009

railwayman3 said:
.....Nevertheless, one should always, if only for old-fashioned courtesy, fully discuss any proposed outings, etc., with a minor's parent or guardian, and make sure that they totally understand and approve where and what the event is. If you or they are in any doubt, just leave it.

Oh, I fully agree - it's just plain courtesy - shame that's "old fashioned". I'm no sure whether the false accusations are a heightened sense of fear or something more sinister - like a potential "meal ticket"

Bob H

mike c · Mar 26, 2009

Well thanks for the response folks the posts have brought up a couple of things I haven't thought of an ones that were reinforced.
Mike C.

Taking minors to social fuctions.

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