February 2, 201511 yr Apparently it's making a comeback. Many parents are very adament about "letting kids be kids, allowing them freedom to roam and not succumbing to the fear of something dastardly happening to them. One women even let her nine-year old son take the subway in NYC by himself. I know when my sister and I were young, mom allowed us to roam and play all over the neighborhood without much supervision. In fact, most parents did so back then. This has become a hot button issue. Those who practice it are passionate about letting their kids roam free. Detractors feel it is pure neglect on the part of parents who practice this kind parenting. What do you think? I saw a little girl (maybe 7 or 8 yo) awhile back riding her bike without any obvious supervision. It made me cringe. If I had a young one, I don't think I could let him/her stray far from my sight and be comfortable. My mom and many others did when we were young and no one thought anything about it. Are times that different now?
February 2, 201511 yr Yes, I think times are that different now. A lot more sick individuals out there than when I was a kid. I wouldn't allow it.
February 2, 201511 yr One thing is for sure, the laws need to catch up. What one parent considers Free Range lands other parents in multiple court hearings.
February 2, 201511 yr Author One thing is for sure, the laws need to catch up. What one parent considers Free Range lands other parents in multiple court hearings. Very true.
February 2, 201511 yr Author Yes, I think times are that different now. A lot more sick individuals out there than when I was a kid. I wouldn't allow it. You know, I used to feel that way but I honestly think there were probably just as many sickos back in the day when you and I were younger. There is no reason there would have been less predators back then .We just didn't hear as much about it. Now you can find how many predators are in a certain radius by just looking online. The media is all over such stories now. Chris Hansen and Dateline stakes out houses to greet pervs. We see it in our papers almost daily. I believe it was just as dangerous when I grew up in the seventies. Sis and I just got lucky, I guess. Regardless, I don't think I could let me little ones roam just anywhere they wanted like my playmates and I were allowed to do.
February 2, 201511 yr Soon enough you'll be able to GPS track your children if you want. Shoot, you already can if they own an iPhone. You have to draw the line somewhere, though. Subway for a 9-year old by themselves? I don't know about that one.
February 2, 201511 yr Soon enough you'll be able to GPS track your children if you want. Shoot, you already can if they own an iPhone. You have to draw the line somewhere, though. Subway for a 9-year old by themselves? I don't know about that one. Hard to make an exact comparison here locally but suffice to say I see a trip to jail for any parent that allows something similar around this area.
February 2, 201511 yr Author I know the free-rangers argue that parents are doing more harm that good by being" helicopter" moms and dads. I can see maybe that too much smothering might be a problem but I don't think you can be too careful with your kids. I mean what is more important than your children? Maybe I'm wrong since I'm not a parent but it scares me to think of young ones roaming without supervision.
February 2, 201511 yr ^ Helicopter parenting is damaging to a child psychosocially whereas free-range parenting can be risky in other ways. A perfect blend seems to be the most appropriate but it's hard for every parent to be perfect.
February 2, 201511 yr It depends so much on the child and the environment. I do not believe in "free range" but I do believe in giving them more freedom than many parents allow.
February 2, 201511 yr Author Free-range parents are upset over this commercial that Nationwide Insurance ran during the Superbowl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKUy-tfrIHY&feature=player_embedded&x-yt-cl=85114404&x-yt-ts=1422579428#t=0[video=youtube;dKUy-tfrIHY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKUy-tfrIHY&feature=player_embedded&x-yt-cl=85114404&x-yt-ts=1422579428#t=0
February 2, 201511 yr When I was in 7th grade my parents allowed me to take the Tank bus from Covington to the Florence Mall . I didn't see it as a big deal. I don't buy the argument it's more dangerous today. Numbers just don't support it. What we do live in is the information age so we hear about every story.
February 3, 201511 yr When I was in 7th grade my parents allowed me to take the Tank bus from Covington to the Florence Mall . I didn't see it as a big deal. I don't buy the argument it's more dangerous today. Numbers just don't support it. What we do live in is the information age so we hear about every story. I rode the TANK bus downtown and to Florence all the time when I was a kid. My mom used to let us walk around the Newport Shopping Center while she went into JC Penny's when I was still in grade school. We never thought anything of it.
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