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> I wonder if it has to do with crime stats being higher. Yes, crime is higher in the US than in the Netherlands, but that cannot be the explanation. Because
by mysterypie 10y ago
> I wonder if it has to do with crime stats being higher.
Yes, crime is higher in the US than in the Netherlands, but that cannot be the explanation. Because crime is the US is much lower than it was three decades ago when children did walk to school.
- nibnib 10y agoThere could be some lag involved. The children of 3 decades ago are now having their own children and are deciding their freedoms. I think crime was lower in the US 6 decades ago than 3, so each generation may be reacting slowly to a perceived level of danger.
- eitally 10y agoI think one of the issues now is that there are many more homes with two working parents. It was one thing 30 years ago to let your kids walk to school, wander around the neighborhood, or whatever, if a parent was at home. But without that safety net, I can see why it's a psychologically challenging attitude for parents. (besides the whole media focus on crime exacerbating things). (I was born in 1977 and walked or rode my bike to school until 4th grade, when I switched schools. I also had a mom who's rule was "go outside and play. come in for dinner when the street lights turn on." I think this was common across the US until the '90s, especially outside of major metros.
- Pietertje 10y agoDo you think the perception of crime/safety might be an explanation? The difference with three decades ago is the ease of information distribution with social media/internet. Most likely also media coverage has shifted more to crime reporting. If I'm not mistaken Levitt describes this perception of crime in his book, Freakonomics, as well.