The U.S. stands far and beyond any other place in this respect, though I suspect some of the same influence is starting to creep in elsehere as well. In The Be

The U.S. stands far and beyond any other place in this respect, though I suspect some of the same influence is starting to creep in elsehere as well. In The Best Country in the World(*), I used to walk to first grade by myself and thereafter rode buses/subway/trains by myself or with schoolmates - just like everyone else here. Most of us even came home to an empty house and had to manage to feed ourselves before the parents got home some hours later. This used to be the norm about a decade ago still when my younger brother was in that age range, but recently based on public discussion it seems the bubblewrap parents are gaining a foothold.