Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Your Turn

Tony Hawk posted a photo of himself skateboarding with his daughter and got a lot of criticism because she was not wearing a helmet. In response, Tony posted another photo of his daughter skateboarding with him, also not wearing a helmet. Safe or not? Do you wear a helmet when you bike or skate or rollerblade?

Posted by ent lawyer at 10:00 AM

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72 comments:

  1. Unknown10:02 AM

    Tony said it best, "For those that say I endanger my child: it’s more likely that you will fall while walking on the sidewalk than I will while skating with my daughter."

    True dat

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mal10:03 AM

    No, but my kids do. I really can't fault TH for this one. It's safer with a helmet, but not a law (right?). At least he has fun with his daughter!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Little Miss Smoke and Mirrors10:04 AM

    It's fine if he chooses to not wear a helmet himself, but I don't think he should put his daughter at risk like that. I don't care how skilled he is, shit happens.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Pogue Mahone10:04 AM

    I don't even let my kids ride their bikes or use their skate boards or scooters without their helmets; it's the rule.A little precaution goes a long way in a preventable injury.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous10:06 AM

    His choice, his daughter, people need to stop making personal judgment calls for other people

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ashlea1:23 PM

      You are 100% right hag.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2:12 PM

      amen! i'm pretty sure he wasn't asking for parenting lessons. since most people on the internet are absolutely perfect parents, of course

      Delete
  6. May Flower10:07 AM

    I always wear a helmet when I ride a bike, ski, or rollerblade. I don't have kids, but if I did, they would wear helmets for those sports, too. It's much easier to get a concussion than most people think.

    I make my living with my brain and I prefer to protect it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jolene Jolene10:09 AM

    What hag said. Pick your battles, folks.

    ReplyDelete
  8. FSP10:09 AM

    Growing up I used to bike and skate all the time. Never did I once wear a helmet. I still prefer not to wear a helmet. The only time I do is between the sheets, but that’s another story. That being said, I don’t care if you’re a professional skater or not, skating in a bowl with your daughter (sans helmet) is not the smartest thing to do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. GemTwist10:57 AM

      Hahahaha! It really is the most important helmet.

      Delete
  9. nolachickee10:10 AM

    I need a helmet just to walk down the street with my clumsy self.

    ReplyDelete
  10. hotchacha10:11 AM

    It's not the end of the world.

    It's nice to see a father taking time to play with his child. Look how much fun they're having!

    :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Green Wave Gal10:17 AM

      No, Friday is the end of the world. ;)

      Delete
  11. Unknown10:16 AM

    My kid would be wearing a helmet, to each his own, I guess.

    ReplyDelete
  12. SusanB10:16 AM

    I never wore a helmet as kid either (no one did then). And now, the only time I'll wear a helmet is if I'm going into outer space. And that's just for the oxygen.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Agent**It10:17 AM

    What hag said.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Mamaroni10:18 AM

    He's actually more likely to pull his daughter's arms out of their sockets

    ReplyDelete
  15. NomNom8310:21 AM

    If it were some average Joe, yeah, they should put a helmet on the kid. Not a criminal offense, it's just the right thing to do. In Tony's case, I agree that she's more likely to get hurt walking down the sidewalk than skating with him, though.

    ReplyDelete
  16. rhinovodka10:21 AM

    at least he's not beating her, there are worse ways to treat or parent a child.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Karen10:23 AM

    I would agree that Tony Hawk probably isn't in any danger of falling by himself, but why take the risk with his daughter? If something DID happen, I'd feel sorry for him (and especially her) but I'd also blame him 100%.

    Of course, I was the kid whose mom made her wear a helmet on a bike and a helmet, wrist pads, and knee pads for rollerblades.

    ReplyDelete
  18. snglmom7310:26 AM

    I think it's a sweet picture.

    Out here in redneck-ville, you hardly ever see kids wearing helmets while skateboarding. It may not be safe, but it's not my place to make a judgement call on that.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Silly Girl10:35 AM

    @hag is totally right. It's becoming SO much more of a problem than ever before. Everyone passes judgement on what WE think YOU should do and WE don't know what YOU want. Nor do WE care. As long as WE have our way imposed on YOU. I'm SO not in the mood for petty bullshit anymore. To each his own. Thankyouverymuch.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sherry10:35 AM

    Yeah we all made it through childhood without helmuts whilst riding our bike, no seatbelts on the school bus or mandated in cars for that matter. Hell I cracked my head open 3 times in the house alone. Once on a metal radiator and another time on the coffee table. People need to chill sometimes.

    ReplyDelete
  21. FalseProfit10:39 AM

    Tony can skate better than most people can walk. People who talk about this don't know a damn thing about skating or safety.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Kelly10:40 AM

    I'm with Tony on this one.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Comma Chaser10:47 AM

    I think if it were anyone else, then yeah, stupid to do this. With TH...man, I dunno, even though he's one of the great ones, he could still slip. It doesn't look like they're doing anything especially dangerous here.

    I don't see the need for bicycle helmets personally, but I wear them because it's the law, and it's better to deal with it than get hassled by 5-0 with a silly citation.

    FWIW, there are tons of kids who skateboard in my neighborhood, and the overwhelming majority of them are nice kids (if a little smart alecky, but I can deal with that) and I'm glad they're doing that instead of something more nefarious. These pictures may simply be a father getting a daughter into one of his key interests.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Unknown10:49 AM

    Too be honest, I'd have a helmet on her, better safe than sorry.
    The first time I took my little girl to school with a scooter I put her in helmet, arm pads and knee pads, the other kids only had helmets on.
    Neurotic much... Me, never. X

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anna V. Xol10:58 AM

    I put helmets on my kids. I know i sound like an asshole but i don't really care what other people do with their kids. That said, i figure it should go both ways. I mind my business and expect others to mind theirs. Your kid, your consequences. My kid, my consequences. If tony hawk is cool with his kid face planting then i am too.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Maja With a J11:02 AM

    *LOL* @ Green Wave Gal

    I'd prefer it if the kid was wearing a helmet, but...not my kid, not my rules.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Amber11:13 AM

    On a scale of 0-10 of dangerous things, 10 being most dangerous, I'd rank this like a 3. It's Tony Hawk. 1) He's not doing anything crazy here, just a little photo-op, and that part of the ramp is not very big. 2) If he were to fall with her, I'd imagine he knows how to get her on top of him so she doesn't get hurt. That being said, if it were my kid and the guy was not Tony Hawk, I'd say you're outta your damn mind.

    ReplyDelete
  28. SweetGeorgiaBrown11:13 AM

    I'm wearing a helmet right now, but I'm w TH on this one. At least he's spending some (awesome) time with his kid.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Robert11:15 AM

    This only shows that the man is deeply stupid, an observation which could easily and accurately be made about half the population of the United States.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Silly Girl11:19 AM

    My kid, my rules. Your kid, your rules. OK, but don't go breaking any laws with your kid, then it'll be 'your kid, OUR laws'.....Plus, when they end up in the system because you're a dysfunctional parent, then it'll be 'My taxes, MY RULES.'. So, please just do us all the favor and do the right thing by your kids.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anna V. Xol11:44 AM

      Who said anything about breaking a law? Is tony hawk breaking any laws? He has several children who seem just fine.

      Everyone has a different idea of "doing right by your kids". If a child is in the system then nothing you say to their parent will make their parents give a good goddamn anyway. Unless you know the secret chant that makes people sober and cures mental illness. Feel free to talk back to those parents all you want.

      But for those people you simply disagree with because you would do differently. Those of us whose kids are not in the system and law abiding will ask others for their opinion if we want it. You don't have to like the way other people raise their kids.

      Delete
  31. EGB11:23 AM

    agreed that Tony Hawk is capable enough to do this, but this happened when my son was little- I was letting him skateboard around the backyard (small space) with no helmet, and of course he fell, and got a concussion. He was only three at the time, so it scared the crap out of me. Helmets always after that, especially when he started wanting to skate at the skate park, because kids can't skate at the one in our town without pads and helmets. Now that he is an adult he skates and rides a fixee without a helmet, but that is his choice.

    ReplyDelete
  32. goheels8311:30 AM

    Well, about 3 months ago I was rollerblading with no helmet and no kneepads/wristguards and I faceplanted onto the asphalt. I broke my arm and wrist and knocked out/broke off several teeth. I have had/will have tens of thousands of dollars of dental work completed (root canals, Invisalign, dental implants). Good luck getting any of that back from the insurance company, even though a dental trauma like mine should be covered.

    So yeah...I would say go ahead and invest in that $20 helmet. It can save alot of pain, money, and embarrassment.

    ReplyDelete
  33. All about Eve11:36 AM

    I would put a helmet on my kids but I'm not Tony Hawk, he's the best there is in a skateboard so I'm not judging. As a parent I hate to judge other parents.

    ReplyDelete
  34. yodelay11:42 AM

    He's not only a professional, he's an expert. It's an entirely different scenario than some random parent putting their kid on the street with no helmet.

    ReplyDelete
  35. auntliddy11:52 AM

    Umm, yes, it is okay to judge him. Its unsafe, plain and simple. Am i going to arrest him ? Sign a petition? Demand action? No, but it is unsafe and unwise.

    ReplyDelete
  36. iheartjacksparrow11:55 AM

    There's an eight-year-old boy who rollerblades up and down the street where I live with no helmet. Every time I see him I tell him to put a helmet on if he doesn't want his brains splattered all over the pavement. He looks at me like I'm nuts. I guess if his mom doesn't care, I shouldn't either. But people falling and hitting their heads are preventable fatalities if they have some protection.

    ReplyDelete
  37. crila1612:00 PM

    Well...it is safer to have a helmet...but back in the 70s and 80s, before everyone started being afraid of everything...we didn't wear seat belts, Kids would stay out until 10pm running around without supervision, We NEVER wore helmets when skiing or riding our bikes, We could walk to school by ourselves, Girl Scouts could go from door to door and sell cookies without fear of being raped, kidnapped or molested. Children could go trick or treating and not have to worry about anything.

    Those were the days. It's a shame that kids nowadays are not able to grow up with that kind of freedom.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Silly Girl12:01 PM

    @iheart, I think it's a awesome visual, you telling him to put his helmet on every time he rides down your street! I always tell this kid at the bus stop to zip up his coat, or get under the umbrella, or get out of the road. Where the F are his parents? This kid's like 5 and out there all by himself.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Carolyn12:06 PM

    It's funny to me that people are saying, "This is Tony Hawk, it's fine," because of his skill level. Um, remember Sarah Burke, anyone?

    His kid, his rules, true, but sheesh. Show some common sense. He's in a freaking bowl and it's a long way down if an accident happens. Stupid man.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Desiree12:26 PM

    Come on! It's Tony freaking Hawk!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Geebz1:41 PM

    His kid, his rules. OK. When I was a girl, a kid that used to ride his bike home was thrown from his bike nearing the end of the curb on Divisadero. He flipped and landed on his head. He didn't move when he landed and there was blood everywhere. We had to run to a payphone (good ol' days) to call 911 and get an ambulance for him. It was horrible to see.
    It takes a second for something like that to happen. Me, my brothers and our kids all wear helmets now. Does it happen to everyone? Thank God, no. But it does happen.
    Be safe rather than sorry.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Yellow Rose2:14 PM

    I have to agree with those that have said that it's Tony Hawk-undoubtedly one of the best skateboarder there has ever been, if not the best. Sidenote: He's the one that mentored Shaun White & helping him turn pro at 16! (this was after Burton signed Shaun for snowboarding at age 7). The Birdman turned pro at 14, he's 44 now & knows what the heck he's doing.

    I agree that if this was anyone else, the girl should absolutely be wearing a helmet, but from seeing & reading interviews he has done, he adores his children & I cannot imagine he would do anything to endanger them. If he was boarding with her on a half-pipe, then, yeah, I'd be worried, but I seriously doubt he was doing more than riding up & down pretty shallow inclines in the bowl.

    And like Amber said, if he WERE to fall, I know he'd sacrifice himself to keep her from hitting the ground.

    Just my opinion...

    ReplyDelete
  43. Eeekalicious2:24 PM

    After the last week, I feel like triple-helmeting them and wrapping them in hockey equipment for the rest of their lives.

    My oldest two play the Tony Hawk skateboarding video games, which they really enjoy. I'm pretty lucky bc they all wear helmets around here, and the kids aren't allowed in the skate park without one.

    I don't know why people wouldn't want to protect their kids' heads and knees when they're skateboarding. I figure it's my duty to make sure to the best of my ability, that they have as safe as equipment as possible. They can't go out and buy their own safety equipment. I have to make that decision for them.

    There's too many things that I can't control in their lives - that's one thing I can at least attempt to control - that they are less likely to get a brain injury while they are biking, skateboarding, snowboarding etc.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Ariel2:25 PM

    Perfectly fine. He is a professional skateboarder, possibly the best one in the world.
    Plus she looks like she is having a great time!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Upside Downunder3:06 PM

    I freaking hated the mandatory helmet culture in the US and in Oz it is even worse. Cycling is totally dangerous in Australia because of having the most obnoxious and aggressive drivers I have ever experienced. I felt safer in Tijuana than Sydney.

    Helmets wont protect from getting nailedby a car.

    I remember reading a quote that said the best way to make our streets safer was to put a permanent sharp spike in the center of every steering wheel and eliminate seat belts!


    ReplyDelete
  46. PS3:22 PM

    GOHEELS83!! NOOOOOO!! I am so so sorry!! And, sad for you!! I did the SAME when I was kid, nearly a zillion years ago. Knocked out SIX front teeth (the year my adults came in, what timing), severely broke my nose, scars all over my face and sprained both wrists. . Two nose surgeries, three root canals, three sets of veneers (every 10 years, all six teeth) and skin revisions several times, I'll still never be the same, never bite into an apple or eat corn on the cob. And, the real kicker? A helmut wouldn't have prevented it anyhow, because my face smashed at an angle. Lucky me ... That all said, I wear a helmut, my kids wear helmuts, but I am not a helmut nazi, and I wouldn't have thought to criticize Tony. He's a skating legend, and, from the looks of it, a super fun dad. His feet are GLUED to that board; give the guy a break. I just hope he tweets / posts "professionals on professional track; please do not try this at home." for all the whack jobs who think they can mimic and be like Tony.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Middle-aged Diva (Carol)3:28 PM

    Well, let's see. A woman I know is a triathlete and expert bicyclist. Three months ago she crashed, wearing a helmet, still had such a bad head injury she was in ICU for weeks and is now home with one eye not working and a sluggish brain. After some rehab to retrain herself to do normal things. Woud've been worse without a helmet. so, is this worth the risk? He's a jerk.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Anonymous3:56 PM

    My overwhelming thought is that he shouldn't be holding her by her arms like that. I am uncomfortable with parents doing that to their kids.

    NURSEMAIDS ELBOW and all. She is probably too old for that though.

    Pro helmets ..........

    ReplyDelete
  49. Anonymous4:17 PM

    Alma, California has helmet laws for skateboarding, enacted in 2002: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/injviosaf/traffic/documents/SB1924-VOSP.pdf

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anna V. Xol5:31 PM

      Was he in california? I don't know. I am in texas but it is annoying when people, especially childless people feel smug after criticizing a parent. It often accomplishes absolutely nothing yet people are so proud of themselves. Did you really fix anything? Will that parentbor child do anything differently? No but yay you told someone off and get to feel superior. I realize you were pointing out a law and am using "you" figuratively. He might have different houses and might have a skate park in his yard. My kids would wear a helmet but i won't get on another parent because it's their heartbreak if something happens.

      Equally, how invested are you in this? Are you willing to walk a child to the bus stop every day if he is alone? Most people say no, where's the mom, it's her damn job. Ok, then it's also her choice. Are you willing to buy a winter coat if his mom can't? If all you are willing to spare is words and lectures, you are wasting everyone's time.

      Delete
    2. Anna V. Xol5:55 PM

      Jen, you were right he is in california. That is in his backyard. Might be harder to enforce.

      That said, he also seems like a good dad. If we are going to get on good parents for occasionally having bad judgement then i guess it isn't safe for anyone to have kids.

      Delete
  50. Pez D. Spenz-Her4:48 PM

    I grew up not wearing a helmet when riding my bicycle. I am just fine. I got all my concussions from gymnastics.
    I play Roller Derby now. I am more apt to wear my knee pads than my helmet when recreational skating. During practice and bouts, you better bet your ass that I'm all geared up. Roller Derby is no joke.
    As far as the kid goes...put a helmet on her. It's okay to mess up your own head, not your kids.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Chilie5:56 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Eeekalicious5:57 PM

    @Pez D.

    Roller derby sounds like a riot!!

    I didn't know that it was so popular. It's nervewracking to watch, but fascinating. I remember watching Roller Derby on TV, but I guess it's probably on a sports channel now.

    It must keep you in fantastic shape...

    ReplyDelete
  53. CanadianMiss6:16 PM

    Like Little Miss Smoke and Mirrors said. Shit happens! And an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
    It's law for under 18 where I live, but I also wear a helmet at 35.
    When I was young I was lucky not to give myself brain damage with a few of the wipe-outs I had on my bike.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Pip6:39 PM

    I have a relative who lives in a home for those with brain injuries, after getting one over ten years ago. This shit isn't cool. Yeah, it's his choice, being her parent. It is an incredibly stupid choice, imo. Put a helmet on the kid.

    ReplyDelete
  55. plrtz glrb7:55 PM

    She should be wrapped in pillows, restrained with seatbelts and have self esteem messages on loop through her iPhone5. I would hate to be a kid today.

    ReplyDelete
  56. chopchop7:56 PM

    So those of you who say it's okay, it's Tony Hawk ... would you be okay with, say, Dale Earnhardt Jr (or another car racer dude can you tell I have no idea who these people are) racing with a child in his car without a seatbelt? Dale's a pro, man! He knows what he's doing!

    Obviously I am pro-helmet on this one but that doesn't mean I'm being all Judgy McJudgerpants about his parenting. I'm just pointing out that shit can and does happen and the girl should probably be wearing safety gear. Not saying Tony Hawk is an idiot and should have his Daddy card taken away. Shit ain't all black & white you know.

    ReplyDelete
  57. J-Mo11:43 PM

    what plrtz glrb said lol! kids should get hurt having fun and when they do people shouldn't try to assign blame. whatever happened to sh*t happens.
    Btw: I'm an overprotective parent & couldn't teach my son how to ride a two-wheeler. He only learned when his older friends took him out -he came home w skinned knees riding that bike. If he had stayed w mummy he never would've got hurt or learned or had fun.

    ReplyDelete
  58. misspeg8611:44 PM

    I am positive we have had this conversation before not too long ago...

    ReplyDelete
  59. L4:40 AM

    As we like to say in Italy, you live much longer when you mind your own business.. i do not understand the almost obligation people feel to comment and judge other people's choices and behaviours.
    want to wear a helmet and have your children do so, good for you.
    focus on that and leave others alone [until they break a law]

    ReplyDelete
  60. goheels836:35 AM

    @PS OMGGGGG You have it so much worse than me!!! I can't imagine how awful your fall was! They think I only have to get a couple of implants (trying to save a couple of teeth to build up with crowns) but at 10K a tooth, that shit adds up! Have you looked into implants as opposed to veneers? My periodontist told me that his implants last about 25 years - so you could at least stretch out the time in between procedures...

    ReplyDelete
  61. auntliddy8:22 AM

    These comments are confusing to me. Because he is tony hawk, rules of safety and common sense dont apply? It is my business! If someone has head injury, sooner or later they will be in a state sponsered program because their insurance has topped out. So our society pays for his lofty, devil-may-care attitude. It also could rob ua of a great human, whos potential is now limited. All because hes the great tony hawk? Look at gary busey- but quickly, like u r looking into the sun, lol. He wldnt wear helmet, and now hes all messed up. I am judging hawks parenting! Im not however going to pursue it any further than saying she really should hv a helmet on. And hope notjing ever happens to either of them :)

    ReplyDelete
  62. Pez D. Spenz-Her3:47 PM

    @tuxedo cat,
    I'm glad that you've watched roller derby before. It's the best thing that I've done for myself.
    I have a much nicer butt and thighs. Skating in circles creates a nice round butt.
    Nothing is pre-arranged, and we are not that violent. No elbowing, no punching. If you go to wftda.com (women's flat track derby association) you can find video of the bouts from the championships. I don't believe that it's aired on tv at all anymore. I used to watch it back in the day too.
    Try it! You may surprize yourself. I sure did!
    Pez

    ReplyDelete
  63. Pez D. Spenz-Her3:49 PM

    Roller derby is very popular in many countries. There are leagues all over. Join us!

    ReplyDelete

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