Facebook Unleashed

In the old days, leashes were the domain of domesticated animals and the occasional dominatrix. Not anymore. Today’s parents simply strap a harness across their kid’s chest, grab the reins, and hope to keep their offspring on course like they're running a suburban Iditarod. This Facebook group takes issue with the burgeoning child/leash phenomenon. They feel bad for the kids. You know who needs the sympathy? The leash. The only thing keeping some hyperactive little snot off the third-rail is a measly piece of nylon. That’s a great deal of pressure to put on an inanimate object. The group purports, “if I was put on a leash I would be scarred for life.” That’s a bit dramatic, and actually, scientifically flawed. Scarred for life is what happens when an unwieldy child runs into the middle of the road when he hears the ice cream truck coming. Truth be told, when one considers the next logical step in terms of child rearing – the taser – a leash seems like, well... child’s play.

For more strange but true Facebook groups, check out my article at mental_floss magazine.