Don't let your babies grow up to be skaters...
Monday March 3, 2008
Spring is rolling in, and all kinds of kids all over the world are looking at getting into skateboarding. And in many of those happy homes, parents are freaking out. These parents aren't all crazy - they've seen and heard about how some skaters act, and they don't want their kids to get hurt or turn evil.So is skateboarding really a bad influence? Will your kid get into drugs? Will he get into fights? Will she start to look like she was just run through a wood chipper? To be honest, being concerned about your kids and what they are into is a good thing! And if you are the kind of parent who takes the time to read this, your kids will likely turn out a lot better than you think. But, there are some things to look out for - read Is skateboarding a bad influence? to hear what I have to say, and leave comments below with your own input and advice!
Photo of pro skaters Billy Marks and Ryan Sheckler © Jamie O'Clock
Comments
I agree; skateboarding sucks anyway. but it kept me from drugs. parents if you’re reading this, I dont drink or smoke. coca cola and pepsi? pfft. they can go to hell. naturally theres “badasses” in skateboarding, but much like any performing art, a mental state of freedom and mental strength is developed.
First off, I am confused as to why you are calling Jereme Rogers a good person and role model just because he is into God? Why are church clubs automatically good? By your own argument that skateboards are not bad because there are some good ones, I can also argue that all God lovers are not good cause there are some bad ones (Hitler, Charles Manson, …). You say church clubs are good, but last I checked all the wars in the middle east sure look like Jewish/Christian vs. Muslim wars, and I think it is a given that these wars are no good. I like the rest of the article , but the God/Church club bit is not a good argument or point.
I am a 32y/o paramedic for a large city. I have skateboarded since I was knee high to a grasshopper, and skateboarding can be blamed for saving my life. I was born and raised in the wonderful city of Los Angeles and grew up in the inner city. Drugs, gangs, graffiti, and lots of cool stuff like that surrounded me, and I watch many friends find that stuff, and end up in prison or better yet, dead. I found skateboarding. Drugs, they interfered with my skating, gangs, never threated or went after me cause I was just a dirty street skater. My parents supported my skateboarding, and it brought us close, my brother started skating, and we have a great friendship beyond being just brothers because of our love for skateboarding.
Skateboarding is a way of life and like all ways of life (RELIGION, punk, hip-hop…) there are going to be good an bad influences. We are going to be who we are whether or parents support or deny us our passions. Kids are going to find “bad stuff” with or without a skateboard. And last I check a skateboard is just a laminated peace of wood with trucks and wheels attached, it is hard for me to believe that standing on one makes a bad person.
To Popmedic:
I can somewhat agree with you. First, I have grown up in a Christian family going to church and all, and I do agree that just because someone is a Christian doesn’t mean they are a good person. Not that all of them are bad; I know LOTS of really cool Christians.
Secondly, I am very glad for what skateboarding has done for you! As for me, it’s mainly go out there and do it for fun, and sometimes when I am depressed I’ll go out and skate. Skateboarding has really helped me, too.
There are different skateboarders out there, I suppose. There are some who are really good people, and that’s awesome. There are also skateboarders who aren’t that great of people, just like every other sport.
I think that skateboarding is different to all who do it. For some it is a lifestyle, and for others it is something you go out and do every weekend. It depends on who you are.
Last thing is, I completely agree that a skateboard wood with some wheels and other parts attached.
Hey guys! Popmedic, I can hear where you’re coming from, but it sounds to me that you might have a touchy side when it comes to faith. I don’t think that Jereme being a Christian automatically makes him a great role model, any more than I think that Burnquist’s being an environmentalist does the same for him. My point was more that these guys aren’t all angry punks who want to poison children’s minds – they are people with hope, strong values and ideas. Maybe I should have made that more clear in the article.
Ok I just want to say YOU ALL SHOULD NOT BE TALKING ABOUT SOMEONE LIKE THIS, I mean come on pple lighten up.. Im not a skateboarder and I dont want to be, But I do think we ALL should think about when we talk about other pple, I dont care who it is!! Come on…..
Popmedic and crazydude, ok so I agree a lil with the whole christan thing.. Hope u both find peace!!!
My dad was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago and I have been struggling to support myself since then. Since the opening of the skatepark in Weed,CA last year I have turned to skateboarding for guidance. I am not religious as that seems to be a popular topoic, but if I could create my own it would be skateboarding.
When I skate I am completely focused on my tricks, which leaves no room for the worries of life. Skateboarding is without a doubt the roots of my success. It has taught me more about life than anything else I have experienced. When I see younger kids struggling with tricks, getting frustrated and wanting to give up I help them.
I am 19 years old, I have a benifited position working as a Phlebotomist at Mercy Medical Mt.Shasta, and I am studying to become a Nurse.
Skateboarding is not a sport, it is a method of expression such as art or literature and not everyone has the same perspectives.
Amen Mr. Popmedic. Skateboarding saved my life. I am a lawyer now. I still skate, as much as I can. Hell yeah skateboarding. Yet to cause a war, but still saving people’s lives. Jesus has some work to do…
And jen, why would you be reading this if you are not now nor want to be a skater? And why would you bother commenting?
let them skaters are hot!!!!
skating is awesome anyone that disis it will get assasinated by my younger stepbrother p.s. he 2