Stick Figure Family Decals and School Bumper Stickers: What Are the Dangers?

You may have seen them on minivans on your way to work, or perhaps you yourself have one affixed to your vehicle. They are the stick figure family decals placed on the back of cars just at the bottom of the driver's side window, that illustrates the immediate family tree. Soccer moms across the nation are notorious for having these family decals on their minivans for all to see. These stick figure family decals are custom made and feature the members within that family in a cartoon kind of way, in size order. A typical family decal will first feature mom and dad, then comes the kids and last the family pet. Of course these family decals vary based on the family's situation, as I have even noticed one with a lady followed by five poodles. This told me that she had a thing for little dogs. However, what does this say to other people who are also observing these family decals, particularly bad people? Some may say that people aren't bad, they just do bad things. In any event, what does this illustrate to those for whom the intent is to be mischievous?

Just on a simple analysis, one can take notice to just how many relatives a person has in their family. Further, they can also tell the exact ratio of family members according to these family decals. This should be enough to raise alarm to anyone, especially when we live in a world that is on high alert. Our families are precious to us and therefore we go through many and all measures at keeping them safe and well protected. This is why businesses such as security camera companies and alarm companies are doing well for themselves. A sense of security amongst families is a necessity and top priority, but with this subtle exploitation of our family members, are we really protecting them, or simply opening the door to potential dangers.

Following up with these family decals are other stickers such as school bumper stickers. Again, these stickers are aimed at exploitation, but in a good way if there is such a thing. Some of the well known school bumper stickers have such phrases like; "My kid's an honor roll student", or "I am a proud parent of a terrific kid." Some of these school bumper stickers will even go as far as to tell what school their kid attends. These are all sensitive pieces of information that perhaps should be limited to family and friends. Strangers that observe these family decals and school bumper stickers can easily make a quick assessment of a family and quite easily take things to a level of harm. Take the following scenario for example.

A kidnapper is driving along in his car and notices you in front of him with a stick figure family decal affixed to the back of your vehicle. Quickly he has assessed that your family decal only displays you, your three kids and a cat. He also notices a school bumper sicker that states how proud you are of your honor roll child whom attends school at xyz middle school. The kidnapper then pulls alongside you and notices that your children are not in the car with you, so he devises a plan that includes him heading to your child's school to pay your child a visit. If your child is one that travels home by themselves, then this kidnapper now has an open opportunity to kidnap. Another aspect may be that the kidnapper simply follows you home and devises a plan of a home invasion, with the knowledge that there is no male figure in the home to challenge him.

Of course there may be many arguments against such a theory like; "Why do I need a male figure in the home to protect my family.", "There is a male figure in the home but I just didn't include him on the sticker so the kidnapper would be in for a surprise.", or "he doesn't even know what my child looks like." The point here however, is that the crime of opportunity is handed over to the kidnapper via these family decals and school bumper stickers. Furthermore, the kidnapper is typically intricate in his planning and perhaps would have assessed all of this before making his move.

Overall, these family decals and school bumper stickers tend to give information in a boastful and bragging manner, where often negativity will stem from such arrogant gestures. Perhaps the traditional approach to exploiting your family's endeavors should go where they belong, affixed on the door of the refrigerator where only close loved ones and invited persons are to see.