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Summary: Real world advice
Review: This book should be required reading for every parent in America. De Becker gives loads of superb, real world advice that can save lives. His credentials are impecable and he speaks with authority. This is a subject most parents fear but have no idea what to do to truly protect their kids. De Becker's previous book, The Gift of Fear, is equally good. I have started giving copies of Protecting the Gift as a gift to young parents. As a high school teacher, I have given copies of The Gift of Fear to many students.
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Summary: Parents need to read this book!
Review: This is a terrific book. It gives parents a clear set of skills that they need to impart to their children in order to help keep them safe from predators. While it is true that some of the stories that de Becker uses in this book were also used in his previous book, The Gift of Fear, they are nonetheless, quite relevant. I imagine that parents often ask themselves, "Who do we trust with our children?" This book gives you some very important guidance.
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Summary: An Excellant Read for Parents
Review: I received this book as a gift, never having heard of it or the author before. I began to read it but was concerned that some of the information might make me paranoid. But the opposite happened. Yes, the author shares with the reader, some harsh realities. But his message seems to say "this is what could happen, the probability of it happening to your child is slim, but that does not mean a parent should not know everything there is to know about protecting their child. I will read this book over and over and learn more every time.
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Summary: Down to earth, non sensationalized advice for todays parent
Review: What I liked about it is that de Becker seems very down to earth and rational when he's discussion the dangers out there and what you can do about them. He really manages to put things into perspective and help you focus on what you really need to worry about after you cover the basic precautions. I liked how he says to listen to your instincts and follow them even it its unpopular or embarassing. I need to do more of this myself. He has a chapter about what you need to do with girls specifically and a chapter about boys specifically. He does a good job recommending additional reading if a particular section really strikes you. I did find that some of the chapters disturbed and upset me, but you do need to know what is happening so you can know about warning signs and what you can/should do. I did like how he supports going out on limbs and taking care of other people, especially children. The statistics about how many abuse-ees become abuse-ers are staggering. Especially if you buy what he says is the little necessary to turn this around. Most of the book is for people with older children than mine (2 and under), but it was still relevant enough that I really liked it. I got it at the library and now I believe I will buy it for myself because I want to be able to re-read it occassionally and reference it if necessary. I hope I will never need any of this information! Two thumbs up here. Highly recommend.
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Summary: I really recommend this book!
Review: My one diappointment with this book was that so many of the anecdotes were straight out of his first book, THE GIFT OF FEAR. Given his extraordinarily broad range of experiences, surely Gavin de Becker could have served up something fresher (shame on his editors, too). Aside from that, however, this is a terrific book, worth every penny -- and more. One key nugget of advice he gives is to tell children that when lost, seek out someone, preferably a woman, for help -- the point being that women are more likely to be helpful, and that when a child chooses someone he is less likely to be victimized than when someone else chooses him. Sounds obvious -- and yet, most people tell their kids "don't talk to strangers". This advice applies to adults as well -- choose before you are chosen. This is all good old fashioned common sense, but we don't always recognize it until someone like de Becker points it out. And he has, so very well. Thank you Gavin de Becker, and I hope you'll write more books with more (new) stories.
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Summary: very educational
Review: As a mother, this book made me feel more in control of protecting my child. The panic and paranoia have disappeared. Some stories are hard to read, but having read them empowers me more to do my job protecting not only my child, but other children as well.
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Summary: Some good advice mixed with odd political opinions
Review: Practically from birth, children are told to look for police when they are in danger. de Becker suggests that frightened kids in public places instead seek help from the nearest woman: women are naturally nurturing, protective and a lot easier to find than cops, he explains. This nugget is typical of de Becker's advice, which though sometimes offbeat or unexpected, nevertheless makes sense. Many examples illustrate situations when ignoring intuition or abandoning common sense can lead to disaster. Leaving curious teenage boys at home with unlocked guns ranks high on the list. Despite the good advice the book has two shaky assumptions. The author states that "nearly 100 percent of sexual predators are heterosexuals". Who then is assaulting the 30% of child victims that are boys? Soccer moms? This conclusion appears to be biased to ignore reality. The author presents a tilted view of defense using firearms. He finds no reason to use firearms to stop a violent intruder. Odd.
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Summary: I wish I would have had this 40 years ago.
Review: This will be a holiday gift for our four married children in hopes that it will help them in raising our ten grandchildren. If just one message "hits home", it is worth it. All mothers worry but De Becker helps us to worry constructively. You won't be sorry.
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Summary: empowering to know I've got what it takes
Review: This is a wonderful book for every parent that worries about their child. He reinforces you to let you know you do have what it takes when it comes to intuition and protecting your own. He tells you how to protect your child when your not with them. What to ask other parents and teachers. What preditors do and say, what to look for in your childs behavior, and to use your intuition and to listen to your childs intuition as well. I thought this was a wonderful book and when I was done reading it, I felt completely empowered for myself and my childs safety. I highly recommend it to all parents and teenagers.
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Summary: Another Must-Read
Review: DeBecker has, once again, illustrated that he knows what he's talking about. Despite some others' criticisms, he is not "selling fear", but rather attempting to dispell unwarranted fear. As with his previous book, The Gift Of Fear, DeBecker speaks authoritatively on a very difficult, and sometimes disheartening topic; the safety and well-being of our children and young people (and our own, as well). With a well-thought-out mix of practical and conceptual content advice, DeBecker gives us all a good hard look at the world of violence toward children. Protecting The Gift belongs on the must-reading list of any parent, teacher, police officer, clergy, social worker, or neighbor of a child.
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