Autonomy is, as almost everything, not binary. And no, most children can not handle adult level autonomy at age 10, but if some child can, then they should be a

Autonomy is, as almost everything, not binary. And no, most children can not handle adult level autonomy at age 10, but if some child can, then they should be allowed. Frankly, I wouldn't be very surprised if the amount of 10 years old that can handle adult level autonomy is greater than the amount of 25 year olds who can't. Working with "problematic" kids I came to a few conclusions, all of which I obviously can't know to be correct, but still. The first and foremost was approximately this: One should almost never assume what children can, and can't do. The individual differences seem to be wider than the oceans, and the only way to really know is to teach, trust, and fearless observation. Most kids will know if you don't trust them, I've seen some 6 years old be "mortally" afraid on an adventure course for kids, as long as their parents were in view. When they could no longer see their parents, their courage grew by the second, and they did their small zipline with the proudest smile one can imagine. It's quite scary, as a parent, to observe the power we wield. That our fears can directly create fear in our children, even if we try to hide them. These parents were supportive and encouraging, but they had their own fears, fears which they couldn't hide well enough, and the kids knew instantly, and instinctively.