Country Songs About Child Abuse Come to Life
I saw a man hit his son yesterday. Smacked him hard on top of his head with a thick rolled-up magazine. Hard enough, I swear, he could've fractured this boy's skull. For no good reason, either. And right away, Martina McBride's "Concrete Angel" came to mind. Then I couldn't get Tim McGraw's "Angry All The Time" out of my head. Then I started clamoring for what to do.
Keep in mind, this was happening on an otherwise tranquil vacation in Puerto Rico, so the mojito in me wanted to tell this man where he could put his rolled up-GQ. I had this whole speech ready about how if he was this abusive in public I could only imagine what a bastard he was behind closed doors and how he'd better tuck his Prada loafers into his Burberry beach bag before things got really ugly and I knocked the spray tan right off of him.
But then the sane mother in me took over, thank God, and I decided instead to engage the boy in conversation. Maybe show him how civilized parents act. We talked about third grade, piano lessons, his favorite water slide at the resort and how his friend barfs on airplane rides. Light-hearted chit-chat at its finest. Then when his bastard-dad wasn't looking, because God knows his Blackberry was way more deserving of his undivided attention, I told the boy, "When you get back home, tell your teacher about how you dad treats you. Tell her everything. You don't deserve this."
I know, I know. I should mind my own business. But I also know if country songwriters can capture the unthinkable in songs like Jason Michael Carroll's "Alyssa Lies," I should have the courage to try to stop it. So I did what I felt I had to do. What else could I have done? What would you have done?
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Kim Neff says:
As a mother of two teenagers, who has never raised her hand to either of them(never had to, and they still turned out to be good kids) I like what you did.
It would have been so easy to stoop to his level, and probably it would have felt good too, lol. But the thing is, the boy is who mattered the most. If you had went after the dad, the whole situation would have really scared the boy and upset him even more then he already was.
I love the advise you gave him. I sure hope he does tell his teacher when he gets home and back to school.
You let him know there are people out there who care about him. good job!!
One of the many reasons I love country music so much is because of the videos you mentioned. Every time I see one of them, my heart just hurts so much, but at the same time I just feel so proud that Country artists care so much and are not afraid to show it. Whether it is about Child abuse, adoption, or GOD,or whatever, they are proud to show us who they are and what they feel.
Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Jenna says:
I have a big mouth and I would’ve told the man off and called the cops, because we would really need them once I got done with the man…..
Peacock Queen says:
The man is absorbed in his Blackberry and doesn’t bother to find out who the stranger is chatting up his young son? Yes, it is good that you spoke to the child about things that interests him, but the next stranger who decides to be nice may just be the pervert who takes him by the hand and leads him away from his selfish father with the promise of ice cream or to pet a dog. Then the child winds up dead. While abuse is one thing, sheer neglect while the child does whatever with whomever is something else. I don’t know exactly how you could pull this off while on vacation in Puerto Rico, but this kid is in dire need of intervention from Social Services.
Kevin says:
Maybe the kid was telling his dad that Angry All the Time is a Tim McGraw song. Anybody who says that deserves to get smacked
sandra says:
We have to be so careful when trying to help a child in situations where we can plainly see abusive behavior.If the parent is prone to this behavior, they tend to get the child home and blame them and subject them to more abuse because someone noticed or commented on their actions.
I would have asked the parent, “what in the world did he do to get smacked in the head like that”? With a reply you could have assessed the situation a little better.As I see it, there is a correct way and a incorrect way to discipline a child when needed. At least you did something.
Vince says:
I realize im late to the game here but this needs to be said. Problem with today’s society is people dont mind other peoples business. I was raised in a family where if you did something wrong, You got smacked on the rear end. Guess what. I knew not to do it again. Talk back to mom, To my room for the night, I knew the yes mam no mam and respected it. I was raised under strict parents, but I under stand discipline. I under stand things arent just handed to me. That you actually need to be strong, tough, and work for what you want. The way people panic when a kid gets spanked or sent to is room is just sickening. They are going to become soft, they will be rude, talk back to their teachers, parents, strangers, etc and the world is just going to crush them when their older. Yes there are people who are truly abusive to their kids. But a smack on the face or bum to teach them what they did was wrong, and to actually respect their elders is a good thing.
unknown says:
im 17 and when i was younger my dad hit me all the time he even tried to kill me so i know how that lil boy was feeling and i only wished someone got into my business when it was happening. he did it till i was bout 15 when i started standing up to him so please if you see something like this do something because it wont stop ever.
Bree Bree says:
I agree with you… to a point. A Smack on the butt and getting grounded it one thing. But the face? You are kidding me right? That is wrong! No one has the right to hit their kid on the FACE! It is humiliating and could get the kid very hurt. I mean if the adult is strong enough they could break the kid’s jaw! Even the back of the head they need to watch out for! If you have a problem with today’s world of KNOWING WHAT’S RIGHT then you can go and find yourself an island to go live on where you’re far way from us, me and the children!
katei keller says:
Good for you. I wish some one would do that for me. Im pretty sure i am verbally and emotonally abused daily. It doesnt bother me that much, im just worried that this wil happen to my little brother. Like i said before good job and thank you.