Recently, we had another tragic event here in the Bay Area involving an abducted child being found only after it was too late. Upon learning the news, I was a bit shaken up and started talking to young woman I know about the situation.
She reflected on a speech class she took a couple of years ago (she’s still in college). At that time, a different abduction (and tragic death) of a child was also at the forefront of the news and a classmate used this event for one of her speech assignments. Apparently, the speech involved a very passionate argument that in order to protect children and not have an abduction like that happen again, a ‘law should be created that prohibits children from playing outside without parental supervision.’
And CPSIA-related bells started ringing in my head so I took a deep breath and politely asked her, “Do you speed when you’re driving sometimes?” She smiled and said, “yes.” I went on to explain that it’s against the law to go faster than the speed limit, yet we do it anyway therefore legislating everything in the hopes that people behave the way we want doesn’t ensure that it will happen.
I went on to say that we’ve had a breakdown in community and wouldn’t it be better if we related to each other instead of regulating as a means of control?
She thought about it for a moment and nodded.
And as I walked away thinking more about the topic of our conversation, a new CPSIA mantra was born: Relate, don’t regulate.
