For those of you hearing gymnasts' traumatic experiences and saying "why didn't the parents do something about it?"... You need to stop blaming the parents. A thread... #gymnastalliance #gymnastparentalliance

First: parents likely didn't know.
Ever tried asking a kid what they did at school today?
It's hard enough to get an answer when something good happened!

Kids might not say anything because they don't have the words to describe their feelings, don't want to relive it after it's over and they're out the gym, don't want to make a fuss (stressful/afraid of repurcussions) or don't even realise the adult could be in the wrong.

They might also assume their parents know what goes on- everybody in the gym does. And the other adults aren't stopping it- so it must be OK right?
*They* must be the problem (they might've even been told this). They feel bad and ashamed, not outraged and vocal.

Second: if parents do get wind of some of what's happened they may have a word with the coach, or even a meeting with the coach and gymnast. Does this fix it? No.

From what I've seen/heard:

- Parent is manipulated into believing the child is upset for a different reason, or mistaken.

- AND/OR coach is "nicer" for a bit before returning to old ways. Then after a few meetings the gymnast stops bothering to fuss as it changes nothing.

- AND/OR the gymnast is punished for snitching, so they don't do it again!!!

Finally, some abuse is so normalised even parents don't realise how damaging it really is, because it's everywhere. They are swept up in the culture too, blinded by the collective inaction of others.

This is why the whole culture needs to change. #gymnastalliance