Balancing Safety and Values

     In the next few months, many families will be traveling together to take a summer vacation. The majority of these families will use air travel to arrive to their destination. And one thing that all travelers must be soberly aware of: no one is safe from a TSA pat-down, not even your sweet 6 year-old daughter.

     You are most likely aware of a young girl from New Orleans who was selected in early April for a pat-down. The 6 year old was very compliant while the TSA official thoroughly patted down every square inch of her, including running her hands up each leg (inside and out), and running her fingers along the little girl's elastic band on her jeans. The TSA official was following policy, and the mother of this young girl was not upset with the official, but rather, the policy being enacted on her young daughter.

     This is anything but an easy issue to resolve. TSA was created from the 9/11 attacks to "strengthen the security of the nation's transportation system." Terrorists create an obvious threat to the safety and welfare of all individuals, but thoroughly patting down a young child is quite possibly sending mixed messages to our young children. 

     All children are told to never let anyone touch their bodies or private areas, but it's technically okay when it's a TSA official? Do you see where the water becomes muddied here? The parent of this young girl who received the pat-down was not upset with the TSA official; she was upset with the policy. Using adult pat-downs on young children is quite inappropriate, and ought to be modified so. A child does not understand that a stranger touching the inside of their waistband and running their hands up and down the inside of the legs is being done for safety. This is scary and uncomfortable, and most importantly, it feels wrong to young children. We ought to listen to that inner conscience.

     In my opinion, it would behoove TSA to meet with child advocates groups, parents, child psychologists, and pediatricians to determine what type of procedure could be used on young passengers. We cannot take kids out of the equation, because unfortunately, terrorists would prey on young children if this demographic was exempt from safety measures. However, we must find an appropriate procedure that does not send mixed value messages to our children.

     Any suggestions or thoughts? We'd love to hear from you!