Episode 26: Strangers Aren’t the Problem with Dr. Paul Renfro

This week, I have author and professor Dr. Paul Renfro with me to share thought-provoking evidence in the harm of the phrase “Stranger Danger”.

Dr. Renfro wrote the book Stranger Danger: Family Values, Childhood, and the American Carceral State which speaks to the history and notion of this phrase that we were taught (and possibly continue to teach our own children) in the interest of safety. 

We dig into the details about how the phrase came about and why it is harmful to the practicality of keeping our kids safe. Dr. Renfro and I discuss perception versus reality in terms of how few strangers actually harm our children. In addition to the threat to children being much closer to home, the phrase Stranger Danger has also marginalized people of color and the LGBTQ population by perpetuating the idea that people in these groups are more likely to mean harm to children, which is 100% factually inaccurate. 

Listen and share this episode of the podcast to help spread the message that there are better ways to promote safety with our children. The Heartful Parent Academy can give you a comprehensive approach to parenting from a place of love and connection. I would love to see you join us there!

This is a continuation of the conversation from Episode 25: Heartful Parenting Practice: STOP Saying “Stranger Danger”.

Resources:

Stranger Danger: Family Values, Childhood, and the American Carceral State by Paul Renfro

Let Grow Organization

Free-Range Kids: How Parents and Teachers Can Let Go and Let Grow by Lenore Skenazy

Transcript:

Episode 26 transcript