Growing up in the 70s and 80s, my childhood was filled with freedom and exploration. My mother worked as a waitress during the evenings, leaving home before I arrived from school. From about second grade onward, I was a latch-key kid, letting myself into our apartment and preparing my own meals while waiting for my older sister to return from junior high. This was a normal experience for many children back then — walking home from school with friends and playing outside in the neighborhood without a second thought.
Our summers were spent running freely around the communal areas of our condominium, with adult supervision mostly limited to pool time. There’s a narrative that suggests mothers in earlier decades kept a watchful eye on local children, but I can’t recall any such vigilance in my own childhood. We understood the rules: don’t leave the complex, come when called, and avoid returning home with injuries. We adhered to these guidelines without issue.
The parenting style of that era was simply known as “parenting.” Today, we have a term for a similar approach that encourages children to test boundaries and gain independence: “Free Range Parenting.” Recently, this concept has gained attention due to a family facing scrutiny from Child Protective Services for allowing their young kids to play unsupervised at a park. Their children, aged six and ten, were reported for being alone, and authorities held them for three hours before notifying the parents.
In response, the public has largely rallied in support of this family, praising their decision to grant their children the freedom to play and walk home together. So, why do we see fewer children playing outside unsupervised?
While I can theoretically support the idea of free-range parenting, I can’t say I would have the courage to let my own children roam free at that age. The pervasive influence of the 24-hour news cycle has left me feeling anxious and uncertain.
A study by The Washington Post reveals that children today are safer than ever before. Child mortality rates and homicide rates have significantly decreased: for children aged 5 to 14, the likelihood of premature death is now about 1 in 10,000, or 0.01 percent. Additionally, reports of missing children have dropped by 40% since 1997, even as the child population has increased by over 30%, indicating that the rate of missing children has declined even more dramatically.
Perhaps most reassuring is the statistic regarding the “boogeyman” scare: only 0.1 percent of missing persons cases involve what we would consider a “stereotypical kidnapping” by a stranger. So, why do we persist in fearing for our children’s safety? Why does a bystander feel compelled to intervene when they see kids playing outside in broad daylight?
We have reached a point where many of us perceive danger everywhere, despite evidence suggesting otherwise. How can we shift this mindset? How can we foster a more rational approach to parenting that allows our children the freedom they need for healthy development? The reality is clear: if it was deemed safe enough for us to play outside alone, it’s categorically safer for our children today.
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In summary, while our children enjoy unprecedented safety compared to previous generations, our fears continue to cloud our judgment. It’s time to embrace the reality that allows for greater independence in their lives.