Real life MMD: Should my son pay for the t-shirt?

superstylin

I agree that you shouldn't 'have' to pay for the shirt, but because I'm obviously a bit soft in the head, if I was playing sports with friends (unlikely in the first instance!) and I ripped an item of clothing I'd probably offer to pay for it just to be polite! I would of course be hoping that they'd say 'no way, it's my fault for wearing it' then we'd go on our merry way.

happyinflorida

Teenage boys do not think - come on I know, I've got two!!

If you can easily afford to pay then I would - but I'd give it personally to the mum, a) to embarrass lad for continuously asking for money & b) to let his mum know what he's been up to as often us mum's are the last to learn what's going on!

whosforachat

happyinflorida wrote: »

Teenage boys do not think - come on I know, I've got two!!

If you can easily afford to pay then I would - but I'd give it personally to the mum, a) to embarrass lad for continuously asking for money & b) to let his mum know what he's been up to as often us mum's are the last to learn what's going on!

Why would you pay happyinflorida? I do not understand.

Thefunkygibbons

he has got to be kidding

Time for your son to apply the broken record defence

milvusvestal

Getting one's shirt torn during the process of a physical game such as rugby is part and parcel of normal, everyday risk-taking. By the sound of it, however, the shirt doesn't seem to have been made very well in the first place.

It is therefore quite absurd that the other lad should expect someone else to pay for a replacement shirt. Resist the demand, and remind the lad that the choice of shirt was his responsibility alone.

Gresp

No, your son should not pay as it's not his fault or responsibility.

Presumably the boys are rugby fans - so ask the "friend" how often he's seen his rugby heroes demand compensation when their shirts get ripped/muddied/bloodied during a game. That should shut him up.

cuba2008

I'm with nat21luv on this one - buy the little twerp a sewing kit. Crikey, when my daughter was at school or out playing with her friends, if anything got damaged I either repaired it or she went without! I can't agree with allan2006. It was an accident for goodness sake during a game of rugby. Your son obviously didn't rip it on purpose and I don't see why he (or you) should be expected to cough up a penny. If the boy won't back down, I would have a word with his mother though. Maybe she told him not to wear it for rugby and he hasn't had the nerve to even tell her what happened.

fekq

so why shouldn't he pay for it? this doesn't sound like an organised, pre-planned game of rugby, but lads messing around in the park.

possibly your son just rugby tackled this lad in fun, not as part of a game, not realising that his friend was wearing a new top?

if so, the decent thing would be for your son (NOT you) to cough up out of his pocket money - will teach him to respect other people's property (something my stepson has yet to learn to do)

beckyshields

No he definitley should not pay for it, its the other boys silly fault! Rugby is a rough game clothes get damaged, its his own tough luck.

JoannaS_3

whosforachat wrote: »

I agree that intimidation has to be addressed, but it is not as simple as going to the police or the school; the police and the school will not always take any action where young people are involved unless you are very articulate, preferably very posh, and make it clear that you will take it as high as necessary to ensure they do their job properly with regard to investigating the offence. In addition, there could be risks of aggression even whilst it is under investigation by the police or the school, so you need to consider the circumstances carefully before deciding which way to tackle any intimidation.

I agree with you there; although something similar happened to my brother and he was being threatened via text messages so my parents went to the police who were very helpful (as you say the school were not helpful...think they are scared of the parents!!) and did deal with it as best they could....the trouble comes if you agree to be a witness in court and the police can't really protect you, before, during and after!

Ususally the threat of going to the police should be enough but all depends on who you're dealing with!! It's very hard as if you can't get the help you need from the school or police who do you turn to?

Lets hope this situation is easily resolved and doesn't go down that road!