The sign said "no swimming." As the adult, the father should have heeded the rules without question. The state is not obligated to provide the public with an explanation for why they can't swim there ("but...whyyyyy?!"). It is expected that adults should use basic reasoning skills, and follow the rules. You can take one look at that lagoon and use your imagination as to why there is no swimming allowed without ever actually knowing for certain.
Naturally occurring bodies of water, like others have said, are home to other dangerous animals besides alligators, not to mention nasty stuff like leaches and bacteria. I suppose I can see kids playing around a familiar pond that they grew up near. My cousin and I used to catch frogs in my uncle's pond when we were 9 or 10 (though we probably shouldn't have been left by ourselves in hindsight). But, in this case the family was in an unfamiliar state, by an unfamiliar body of water with an ominous "no swimming" sign. This should not have happened.
I feel awful; and I can't imagine what the parents are going through, but sometimes being overprotective can save your kid's life. I'll tell you what; I will never be able to prevent every single bad thing from ever happening to my child, but I can say with fair confidence that he won't be dragged off by gorillas or alligators!
Naturally occurring bodies of water, like others have said, are home to other dangerous animals besides alligators, not to mention nasty stuff like leaches and bacteria. I suppose I can see kids playing around a familiar pond that they grew up near. My cousin and I used to catch frogs in my uncle's pond when we were 9 or 10 (though we probably shouldn't have been left by ourselves in hindsight). But, in this case the family was in an unfamiliar state, by an unfamiliar body of water with an ominous "no swimming" sign. This should not have happened.
I feel awful; and I can't imagine what the parents are going through, but sometimes being overprotective can save your kid's life. I'll tell you what; I will never be able to prevent every single bad thing from ever happening to my child, but I can say with fair confidence that he won't be dragged off by gorillas or alligators!
Nay_Sayer: “Nothing is impossible if you dream big enough, or in this case, nothing is impossible if you use a barrel of KY Jelly and a miniature horse.”
Wiser words were never spoken.
Wiser words were never spoken.
