Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, I recall a childhood that many would consider carefree. My mother worked as a waitress during the evenings, leaving me to navigate my after-school hours as a latch-key kid from the second grade onward. I would unlock the door, prepare a quick sandwich, and wait for my sister, who was already in junior high, to come home. This was simply the norm: walking home with friends, exploring the neighborhood, and playing outside for hours without the constant supervision of adults.
Our summers were filled with adventures in the shared spaces of our condominium complex. The only time adults kept a watchful eye on us was when we were near the pool. There’s a saying that back in the day, mothers would collectively supervise neighborhood kids. If that was true in our apartment complex, they certainly mastered the art of being discreet. We understood our boundaries well—never leaving the complex, rushing home when we heard our parents call, and avoiding any injuries that would raise alarm.
This form of parenting we experienced was simply termed “parenting.” Today, there’s a specific label for those who encourage their children to explore and assert their independence: “Free Range Parenting.” Recently, this approach has been in the spotlight due to a family facing scrutiny from Child Protective Services and concerned neighbors for allowing their young kids some freedom. Their latest incident involved their six and ten-year-old children being picked up from a park at 5 p.m. simply because someone thought it was unsafe for them to be playing unsupervised. The parents weren’t even notified for three hours.
Public reaction to this story has largely supported the parents’ choice to grant their children independence. Many comments on articles about this family echo a sentiment of approval for their parenting style. So why do we see so few kids playing outside without adult supervision?
While I agree in theory with these parents, I find myself questioning whether I would permit my own children the same freedom. It pains me to admit that I am a product of the constant stream of alarming news.
The Washington Post has reported that children today are statistically safer than at any other time in history. Child mortality rates have plummeted, with the likelihood of a child aged 5 to 14 dying by any cause sitting at around 1 in 10,000, or 0.01 percent. Reports of missing children have decreased by 40% since 1997, even as the population has grown by over 30%. This indicates that the actual rate of missing children has fallen significantly. Most astonishingly, only 0.1 percent of missing person cases fit the “stranger abduction” stereotype we all dread.
So what fuels our fear? Why might a passerby view a pair of children playing together in a park during daylight as a cause for concern? We have reached a point where many of us perceive danger lurking around every corner, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.
It’s time for us to reconsider how we raise our children and allow them the freedom they deserve. If it was safe enough for us to roam freely as kids—and I think most of us would agree it was—then it’s even safer for our children today.
But how do we shift our mindset to embrace this reality?
If you’re interested in learning more about parenting approaches, check out this insightful piece on our other blog. And if you’re considering starting a family, the NICHD offers excellent resources related to pregnancy and home insemination. For those looking for at-home insemination options, Make a Mom is a reputable retailer for artificial insemination kits.
In summary, our perceptions of danger may not align with reality. Embracing the independence of our children may be the key to allowing them to thrive in a world that is statistically safer than ever.
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