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For those of you hearing gymnasts& #39; traumatic experiences and saying "why didn& #39;t the parents do something about it?"... You need to stop blaming the parents. A thread... #gymnastalliance #gymnastparentalliance
First: parents likely didn& #39;t know.
Ever tried asking a kid what they did at school today?
It& #39;s hard enough to get an answer when something good happened!
Ever tried asking a kid what they did at school today?
It& #39;s hard enough to get an answer when something good happened!
Kids might not say anything because they don& #39;t have the words to describe their feelings, don& #39;t want to relive it after it& #39;s over and they& #39;re out the gym, don& #39;t want to make a fuss (stressful/afraid of repurcussions) or don& #39;t even realise the adult could be in the wrong.
They might also assume their parents know what goes on- everybody in the gym does. And the other adults aren& #39;t stopping it- so it must be OK right?
*They* must be the problem (they might& #39;ve even been told this). They feel bad and ashamed, not outraged and vocal.
*They* must be the problem (they might& #39;ve even been told this). They feel bad and ashamed, not outraged and vocal.
Second: if parents do get wind of some of what& #39;s happened they may have a word with the coach, or even a meeting with the coach and gymnast. Does this fix it? No.
From what I& #39;ve seen/heard:
- Parent is manipulated into believing the child is upset for a different reason, or mistaken.
- AND/OR coach is "nicer" for a bit before returning to old ways. Then after a few meetings the gymnast stops bothering to fuss as it changes nothing.
- Parent is manipulated into believing the child is upset for a different reason, or mistaken.
- AND/OR coach is "nicer" for a bit before returning to old ways. Then after a few meetings the gymnast stops bothering to fuss as it changes nothing.
- AND/OR the gymnast is punished for snitching, so they don& #39;t do it again!!!
Finally, some abuse is so normalised even parents don& #39;t realise how damaging it really is, because it& #39;s everywhere. They are swept up in the culture too, blinded by the collective inaction of others.
This is why the whole culture needs to change. #gymnastalliance
This is why the whole culture needs to change. #gymnastalliance
