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I didn't notice the author until she mentioned founding the "free-range kids" movement. For those who are unfamiliar with her, she was labeled "America's Worst

I didn't notice the author until she mentioned founding the "free-range kids" movement. For those who are unfamiliar with her, she was labeled "America's Worst Mom" in 2008 for a column she wrote about letting her son ride the subway alone when he was 9. She has been on a crusade against overprotected children since then [1]. I always found her advice extremely reasonable, but then again, I don't have children. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenore_Skenazy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenore_Skenazy

lifefeed 4y ago
Some of the reactions against her were unreal. People were wishing for her children to be kidnapped to teach her a lesson. And 14 years later America is now watching "Old Enough!" on Netflix.
- azth 4y ago
  What's wrong with some people, honestly no words.
  - aksss 4y ago
    The desire to control and to punish those who don't comply is strong. Used to be religious element of society that did this. Now social control doesn't wear the mask of religion anymore.
    - brandonmenc 4y ago
      > social control doesn't wear the mask of religion anymore The new religion is "safety."
- moistly 4y ago
  “Old Enough!” is a cute, amusing, and quite surprising show. It follows 3 and 4 year olds as they run their first errand for their parents. The kids are generally clueless about the cameras, and they’re wired with a microphone. They are usually sent on a surprisingly long journey, although along a familiar route, involving several tasks. FWIW, we’re childless & in our fifties, and really enjoyed the season.
t0mas88 4y ago
I do have children, and from that perspective: She is not crazy. What she's describing is what we would call normal life in most of Europe. I'm sure it's also normal in more small town US. The kind of crazy incident she describes sounds like a New York, or other big city kind of thing.
- woodruffw 4y ago
  It’s difficult to detect a consistent trend in the US: most of the anecdotes in this thread are about people being accused of endangering their children in small, suburban communities. As a personal anecdote: I grew up in NYC, and was riding the subway alone by the time I was 8 or 9. I believe there’s also around when my school gave me a free metrocard to travel on my own, and I believe that program is still in place. Most of my NYC friends had similar experiences.
- anotheracctfo 4y ago
justoreply 4y ago
Meanwhile in Berlin you can use public transport alone if you are 6 years old, and you can take your younger sibling too https://www.bvg.de/en/tickets-tariffs/conditions-of-carriage https://www.bvg.de/en/tickets-tariffs/conditions-of-carriage
- layer8 4y ago
  It appears you can use public transport alone even if you’re just four years old, and six years is merely the minimum age to be a “guardian” for under four year olds. > Children under four years of age may only use public transportation if they are accompanied by an individual who is at least six years of age.
  - waqf 4y ago
    An "individual" … maybe that means it would suffice for them to be accompanied by the family dog? (edit: unfortunately not, for in the German it is more specific, "nur in Begleitung einer Person …".)
    - nicoburns 4y ago
      Now that would be neglectful - letting a 3 year old wander around town with just the dog!
      - layer8 4y ago
        A six year old dog may be a better guardian than a six year old human.
        nicoburns 4y ago
        Perhaps if it was a very well trained dog. But on average I'd trust a 6 year old human more than a 6 year old dog to: - actually navigate to the intended destination - Communicate and find help from adults in the case of any issues
- 4y ago
ajcp 4y ago
And what an amazing coincidence that the crusader and the martyr are the same person!
justnotworthit 4y ago
I was shocked when she revealed who she was. Maybe writing an article will do more than calling the police and making a stand and big stink, but if she, the leader, is easily shoo'd away, what are normal people in this position (and god help us, males) supposed to do? Raise awareness? Share the article? I guess so.

lifefeed 4y ago

Some of the reactions against her were unreal. People were wishing for her children to be kidnapped to teach her a lesson. And 14 years later America is now watching "Old Enough!" on Netflix.

azth 4y ago
What's wrong with some people, honestly no words.
- aksss 4y ago
  The desire to control and to punish those who don't comply is strong. Used to be religious element of society that did this. Now social control doesn't wear the mask of religion anymore.
  - brandonmenc 4y ago
    > social control doesn't wear the mask of religion anymore The new religion is "safety."
moistly 4y ago
“Old Enough!” is a cute, amusing, and quite surprising show. It follows 3 and 4 year olds as they run their first errand for their parents. The kids are generally clueless about the cameras, and they’re wired with a microphone. They are usually sent on a surprisingly long journey, although along a familiar route, involving several tasks. FWIW, we’re childless & in our fifties, and really enjoyed the season.

t0mas88 4y ago

I do have children, and from that perspective: She is not crazy. What she's describing is what we would call normal life in most of Europe. I'm sure it's also normal in more small town US. The kind of crazy incident she describes sounds like a New York, or other big city kind of thing.

woodruffw 4y ago
It’s difficult to detect a consistent trend in the US: most of the anecdotes in this thread are about people being accused of endangering their children in small, suburban communities. As a personal anecdote: I grew up in NYC, and was riding the subway alone by the time I was 8 or 9. I believe there’s also around when my school gave me a free metrocard to travel on my own, and I believe that program is still in place. Most of my NYC friends had similar experiences.
anotheracctfo 4y ago

justoreply 4y ago

Meanwhile in Berlin you can use public transport alone if you are 6 years old, and you can take your younger sibling too https://www.bvg.de/en/tickets-tariffs/conditions-of-carriage https://www.bvg.de/en/tickets-tariffs/conditions-of-carriage

layer8 4y ago
It appears you can use public transport alone even if you’re just four years old, and six years is merely the minimum age to be a “guardian” for under four year olds. > Children under four years of age may only use public transportation if they are accompanied by an individual who is at least six years of age.
- waqf 4y ago
  An "individual" … maybe that means it would suffice for them to be accompanied by the family dog? (edit: unfortunately not, for in the German it is more specific, "nur in Begleitung einer Person …".)
  - nicoburns 4y ago
    Now that would be neglectful - letting a 3 year old wander around town with just the dog!
    - layer8 4y ago
      A six year old dog may be a better guardian than a six year old human.
      - nicoburns 4y ago
        Perhaps if it was a very well trained dog. But on average I'd trust a 6 year old human more than a 6 year old dog to: - actually navigate to the intended destination - Communicate and find help from adults in the case of any issues
4y ago

ajcp 4y ago

And what an amazing coincidence that the crusader and the martyr are the same person!

justnotworthit 4y ago

I was shocked when she revealed who she was. Maybe writing an article will do more than calling the police and making a stand and big stink, but if she, the leader, is easily shoo'd away, what are normal people in this position (and god help us, males) supposed to do? Raise awareness? Share the article? I guess so.