I recently read an article about a 10 year old boy who is a bull fighting prodigy. He is from Mexico and is currently traveling in France partaking in non-professional demonstrations in bullfighting schools. In France, the approved age for bull fighters is sixteen. Due to the age gap, the boy’s involvement has resulted in a canceled appearance and has sparked massive debate about the dangers he faces in the ring.

His parents, who both support his involvement, state that he has been mimicking the fight since he was three and killed his first animal at the age of 6. Those opposed to the boy’s involvement in bull fighting state “that you don’t teach a child to kill at age 6. The role of a parent is to protect their child. These parents are not protecting their child; they are making him take unnecessary risks.”

It seems interesting to me the level of commitment and dedication these parents have. Although the father has been quoted as saying, “I’m afraid like all fathers are afraid for their children. … It’s like all other sports. I don’t think it’s more dangerous than horseback riding or riding competitions.”…

…Except for the charging part, with horns, in a fit of rage, by a huge animal that outweighs you 6 to 1 is what I want to say. Sitting back thinking about it, I toyed with the obvious debate of empowering your children, giving them the means, and opportunity to follow in their dreams, but then I thought about my own son, obsessed by cars and speed racing. He’s three; would I let him get behind the wheel by age 6 and on a track before puberty? Of course not, so how is driving a racing car any different from standing in front of a charging bull? What about sky diving, snake charming, or swimming with sharks for that matter, these are all things any child could easily say they want to do. Would you let them?

I am constantly amazed at the maturity, skill and intellect of my toddler. He has mastered most of the electronics in our house, remembers both my husband and my cell numbers and has no trouble giving me directions if he has been somewhere only one time. I am impressed and astonished at his abilities and see that the computer, video games, and the tallest platform on the play ground easily bore him. Of course I want to broaden his horizons and expose him to newer and neater things, but do I sacrifice his safety because I think he can handle it?

I am sure this boy has proven himself many times with his level of skill and concentration, but at what age does the mind transform from an easily distracted child, unable to really gauge, decipher or know the consequences, to a master or expert as they claim he is. Many grown men misinterpret the actions of the bull and face lethal consequences. Should we take the chance with this child?

Despite the danger factor in this situation, when does a parent allow their child to move outside the norm and do something, regardless of the challenge or danger? At what age is it okay and who is the judge to say one child is ready because of his birth date and the other is not? Anyone could argue the dangers in football or just plain swimming for that matter, so when do we stop them if an innocent game or sport can result in a tragedy?

Some have said that if something were to happen to this boy only the parent would have themselves to blame. Yet I like to think that he deserves more than that, so what if his parents would hold themselves responsible, what good would it do for this boy?

I’d like to say that it all has to do with common sense, but we all know that that is in the eye of the beholder. Some could say that men take their boys hunting, moms put their girls in pageants, possibly exposing them to different kinds of dangers, but the dangers are still there. So do we reserve judgment, not think the worst and let go of what might or might not happen?

When it comes to our children my vote goes with protecting them at all costs. Not yanking away their dreams, or squashing out their talents because it may be dangerous, but enabling them to follow their passions at safe distances. If this boy is so truly committed he could be at the ring, involved in the event, but just not the thickness of a cape away from it. With my son, he is learning about the responsibilities of cars, the different engines, parts and procedures that go into a race. He can watch, learn and absorb all his mind craves, but for now I have the responsibility to keep him out of harm’s way. To me, that is part of being a parent.

In the free dictionary online it says: to act as a parent is to raise and nurture. You wouldn’t put your tulips in a cows pasture, set your gold fish outside in the snow, or allow your dog to roam free on the highway. Seems to me, it is only common sense a child should not stand face to face with a bull, but of course, I’d love to hear what you think.

Standing on my soapbox,

JB