I am trying to come up with a way to word this without sounding like I am looking down at people but I don't. I grew up in a small town in Ohio and I'm just going to say what I know.
It is obvious Harley doesn't come from a wealthy family, or even upper middle class. The family doesn't have a spokesperson like many wealthier families do. I am sure many wealthy families have the same pleas as Harley's mom did until someone re-writes them and makes them more child-centered. In times of great fear and anxiety, our concern reverts to ourselves. Especially for people who aren't sophisticated (and I'm not judging, I came up from the same background.) The family does not have a lot of resources, both physical and social-emotional ones.
I had great but uneducated parents. Their plea would sound the same. It's not just poverty of money. It's poverty of understanding and being able to express themselves.
Now some thoughts on Harley:
- What if he was actually sick? Could he have passed out and become disoriented? They would have found him by now if that happened, right?
- What if he said he was sick to avoid going to school because he knew he'd be jumped or something? The day before Christmas break is a big day for students to start trouble. If he got jumped, did it go wrong? I do think a kid would have leaked the secret by now if that happened.
- There are a ton of empty cabins and lakehouses this time of year. I think every single one of them needs to be checked. The weather has been decent and he may be able to stay warm inside one.
- As for the questions about the Ring cameras- I live in small town Ohio and I'm the only one with a Ring on my street. It's expensive, and not entirely necessary when you have other neighbors looking out for you. My parents are in Florida and everyone has a ring- I think it just depends where you are. Small town Ohio- may not need one.
I hope I don't sound like I'm puting anyone down. We just really need to consider that the family may not be that resourceful before jumping to conclusions.