A young girl is drug behind a dumpster unconscious and raped. Two bicyclist stop the attack and run down the assailant. Carl-Fredrik Arndt and Peter Jonnson, thank you for being the heroes in this travesty of justice.
In the wake of such horror, I think it is vital as parents to focus on what kind of character it takes to raise up young men who will honor women rather than victimize.
A protector.
That’s the first thing I want all six of my boys to be. I want my boys to grow up loving and kind to women but I want them to see their first role as someone who should always be ready, willing, and able to protect.
Vigilant.
I pray my boys grow up being vigilant over their sisters or their friends who are young girls, even complete strangers. I pray that when their sisters and peers are with my boys, they always feel safe.
Trustworthy.
I sincerely hope with every bone in my body that all of my boys are trustworthy. That when they grow big and strong, people know that if a Reback boy said it, it’s got to be true. If something went missing, it surely wasn’t a Reback. And most of all, I pray that when any one of my six sons spot a special girl and they want to spend time getting to know her, that their father and I will have helped forge them into young men who are trustworthy and honor the girls that they maintain friendships/relationships with.
Too many times as parents we focus solely on the things we don’t want our kids to be…
Lazy.
Lustful.
Deceitful.
Angry.
Disrespectful.
Complacent.
The long list of undesirable character traits can be dizzying. But in the wake of this week’s travesty of justice as it relates to Brock Allen Turner and his 6 months jail sentence for a violent raping of a young girl who was unconscious, I think it is time as parents we all stop concentrating on raising children who are NOT deceitful, angry, disrespectful and lustful….
But to focus on teaching our boys the desired heart motives, and the wanted character traits we hope our young men will be known by.
I’m praying for you moms and dads. I’m praying for every one of us. I’m praying we raise the kind of young men who protect, who are vigilant, who are trustworthy, and who will STOP any attack from happening even remotely close to their presence because of the strength and leadership our young men possess.
Tove Maren Stakkestad says
So much this – as parents we have to remember that we get more of what we focus on… so let’s stay lazer focused on the positive traits… and praise them when we catch them being awesome!
Lyette Reback says
It’s hard to do but it is so important. Man, I have to remind myself all the itme.
Lyette Reback says
Thank you. Hard to remember to focus on the positive when the negative has us raptured in fear…but we can all out the good in our young men and raise them up to be heroes when opportunity presents.
Lyette Reback says
That’s a great idea Lori.
Lyette Reback says
Thank you for reading and sharing! xoxoxo