O.J. And His Children Get ‘Expert’ Advice

I note that the next chapter in the Simpson Soap Opera concerns the custody of his children, 10-year-old Sydney and 6-year-old Justin. It was the cover story of a recent People magazine, and “experts” around the country are waxing psychobabblishiously on the topic. I happen to think O.J. Simpson is a lowlife, not because I am convinced he is guilty of double murder (not established) but because he is a wife beater (established), and my parents were clear that any man who hits a woman is a lowlife. O.J. ought to be ashamed of himself.

Notwithstanding that I would refuse to shake his hand if we were introduced, I cannot fathom how certain professionals have arrived at the conclusions they’ve reached concerning the custody matter.

Richard Gelles, a psychologist who heads up the Family Violence Research Program at the University of Rhode Island, was quoted as saying, “I don’t think there is a child psychologist in America who isn’t quaking for the developmental future of those two kids.”

Yes, Dr. Gelles, there is one such child psychologist: Me.

O.J. Simpson has been judged not guilty of murder, and notwithstanding that I think he’s a lowlife for other reasons, there is no evidence that he is a bad parent or that he has ever acted inappropriately toward his kids.

Besides, his children - as would all children under similar circumstances - want to believe their father is innocent.

So, I ask, why does Gelles quake? Why does he even feel he has license to speak on the subject? The matter of O.J. and his children is none of Gelles’ business, and he should have said so. It would become his business if, and only if, O.J. called and asked for his professional opinion.

Gelles went on to say that should the Simpson children move back in with their father, it will constitute yet another “major disruption” in their lives. How, pray tell, does Gelles know this? I’m not saying he’s wrong. I’m saying he’s a psychologist, not a fortune teller. Under the circumstances, Gelles is doing nothing but speculating, and it would be most professional of him to keep his speculations to himself.

For all he, or anyone, knows, the Simpson children’s sense of security might be significantly restored by moving back in with O.J.

Psychologist Lenora Poe of Berkeley, Calif., who specializes in working with families who have experienced separation because of the incarceration of a parent, was quoted as saying she was “very, very concerned” for the Simpson kids.

Poe has the audacity to say she thinks O.J. and his children should “get some kind of psychological help.”

I think it’s safe to say that Poe has not been consulted by any party involved in the Simpson Soap Opera. She doesn’t know any more about the relationship between O.J. and his children than does the average person on the street.

The question, therefore, becomes this: By what objective process has Poe arrived at the conclusion that O.J. and his kids are going to need psychological help?

My point, folks, is that “expert” opinions of the above sort are uncalled for, fatuous. They are prime examples of the intellectual arrogance into which we mental health professionals often lapse.

Having said all that, my own opinion (as a person on the street, not a psychologist) is that O.J. Simpson and his children need to be reunited and left alone.

If O.J. chooses to seek professional help, fine, but that’s his business.

Meanwhile, we would all do well to disengage from this soapish saga and find something of value to talk about. The best thing, I think, for all of us to do concerning O.J. Simpson is simply ignore him.

Can’t we all just move along?

xxxx