When my sons were 4, 6 and 8 years old, I bought them their first knives. As parents know, you can’t buy one kid a gift – you have to buy all three, which got quite expensive. But I digress. I’m an outdoors kind of guy, hunting, fishing, hiking, etc. So, they all got knives. I took them out to the woods and showed them the proper technique to skin a stick. To no great surprise, they all cut themselves. Nothing bad, but I’m sure it hurt a little bit. Lesson learned. Oh my gosh, you should have heard the commentary in our neighborhood, though! It really intensified when I brought the boys back home after an afternoon at the gun range and we were seen unloading our cased firearms. Throughout their young lives, we “gave them some rope” in their activities. We didn’t put them in harm’s way – but hey, if they tripped while running, heads up, kid! Look where you’re goin’!
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Currently, it seems like parents are hovering over little Jacks and Jills (no offense intended to the aforementioned names). I heard a term for this: Helicopter Parenting. Very appropriate. Well, get ready folks, because the real world looms in your rearview mirror. I’m sure that we’re all aware of the term “Nanny State.” Witness attempts by some New Mexico legislators to protect their youth. I’ve always felt that the public and parents should be made aware of the facts, the research, etc., and make their choices for most things in life – not social media or some overzealous pontificator.
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One lawmaker offered this regarding teen tanning: “I think they’ll just go outside and lay in the sun and maybe fall asleep and have sun exposure for more time than they would in a tanning bed,” said Rep. Rebecca Dow, (R-NM). She said alcohol and smoking are more likely to damage teens than indoor tanning; that it was important to limit government reach and didn’t want to see them “go down that road.” I agree.
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However, another NM legislator made the oft-used (but misleading) statement that using a tanning device before age 35 increases skin cancer risk by 60%. Why is it misleading? Well, this study has never quantified the sunbed type, the lamp or the session time, but lumps it all into a generic statement. So, if I use a tanning bed one time for two minutes, my risk increases by 60%? Hmm …
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South Carolina is home to many beautiful beaches, including one of my faves: Myrtle Beach. During several visits, I’ve seen myriads of kids frolic in the natural sun. What attempts do lawmakers make to prohibit this “irresponsible” behavior endorsed by parents? (Crickets.) None. Consider the pools, ballparks and more, as well. Please don’t tell me they’re all using and reapplying the proper amount of SPF!
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Another legislator stated, “we can’t write enough bills to keep people from doing stupid things.” Amen to that! We certainly can’t legislate common sense!
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As I have said many times in my writings and teachings, “millions of people weigh the pros and cons of UV exposure and choose indoor tanning, where sessions are delivered according to individual skin type and a timer to minimize the risk of overexposure and sunburn.”
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Team IST searches for erroneous, suspect or negative reporting by the media that adversely impacts the tanning industry. Reports such as these have plagued tanning businesses for decades. Although the media sources will seldom admit a falsehood and print a retraction, IST offers these well-crafted responses to the negative reports that can be shared with your customers and potential customers, alike.
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