For what its worth, the vast majority of children in my south side Chicago (gasp) neighborhood, walk to elementary school without a parent. They are often with

For what its worth, the vast majority of children in my south side Chicago (gasp) neighborhood, walk to elementary school without a parent. They are often without adult supervision in the hours after school lets out, and before their parents come home from work. There are frequently older siblings, but that doesn't seem like some vast generational sea change. Instead, I think this story is more about multi-generational moves from rural to urban life, that resonates with parents who can afford to be over protective of their children and feel bad about it.