4 ms·

>Not all high schoolers are mature enough to be left alone and go to school As an anecdote, 100% of my class was coming to the school and back without being su

by krasin 4y ago

>Not all high schoolers are mature enough to be left alone and go to school As an anecdote, 100% of my class was coming to the school and back without being supervised since age 8. This was in 90s and not in the US, but the gap of "mature enough to go to school" between my experience and the statement feels a bit high, somehow.

alistairSH 4y ago
Yep. And it’s 100% normal for early prior year school aged kids in Japan to cross town on the subway on their own. The American obsession with helicoptering their kids all the way through their first job is super weird and unhealthy.
- rootusrootus 4y ago
  Could we just stop? Please? I know it's cool to talk shit about Americans constantly but it gets old. I want to expect better from HN. > The American obsession with helicoptering their kids all the way through their first job is super weird and unhealthy. My kids, along with many others, were getting themselves to & from school without my supervision starting in third grade. Earlier, even, for my son since his sister is two years older and was with him. This is normal. What is the fascination that so many Europeans (and others) have with making wild unsupported assertions about what Americans do and then build an entire critique from that?
  - alistairSH 4y ago
    I’m American and I’ve seen enough helicopter stupidity over the years to be confident saying it’s a problem. Is it the norm? Maybe not. But it’s common enough to be a thing.
    - bcrosby95 4y ago
      Most of the helicopter stupidity i see comes from people without kids. As in, you're a terrible parent because you weren't constantly watching your kids and they did something kids do that I don't like.
  - em-bee 4y ago
    the fascination comes from all these stories here: https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&query=parenting&sort=byPopularity&type=story https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&que...
giantg2 4y ago
Yes, maturity in the US seems delayed compared to many places. I feel it's because the laws and nosy neighbors have basically made it impossible to give kids responsibility. Nobody wants to hire kids because of the labor laws. Kids don't want to work because they get everything handed to them or the cost of stuff like transportation is too high. Let your young kid play alone? You might have the cops called on you.
fleddr 4y ago
Late 80s, Netherlands. As of the age of 6, I was free roaming on my tiny bicycle. I could go wherever I please, zero supervision, just be back in time for diner. And of course without any technology (smartphone). Modern parents would have a heart attack.

by krasin 4y ago

alistairSH 4y ago

Yep. And it’s 100% normal for early prior year school aged kids in Japan to cross town on the subway on their own. The American obsession with helicoptering their kids all the way through their first job is super weird and unhealthy.

rootusrootus 4y ago
Could we just stop? Please? I know it's cool to talk shit about Americans constantly but it gets old. I want to expect better from HN. > The American obsession with helicoptering their kids all the way through their first job is super weird and unhealthy. My kids, along with many others, were getting themselves to & from school without my supervision starting in third grade. Earlier, even, for my son since his sister is two years older and was with him. This is normal. What is the fascination that so many Europeans (and others) have with making wild unsupported assertions about what Americans do and then build an entire critique from that?
- alistairSH 4y ago
  I’m American and I’ve seen enough helicopter stupidity over the years to be confident saying it’s a problem. Is it the norm? Maybe not. But it’s common enough to be a thing.
  - bcrosby95 4y ago
    Most of the helicopter stupidity i see comes from people without kids. As in, you're a terrible parent because you weren't constantly watching your kids and they did something kids do that I don't like.
- em-bee 4y ago
  the fascination comes from all these stories here: https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&query=parenting&sort=byPopularity&type=story https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&que...

giantg2 4y ago

Yes, maturity in the US seems delayed compared to many places. I feel it's because the laws and nosy neighbors have basically made it impossible to give kids responsibility. Nobody wants to hire kids because of the labor laws. Kids don't want to work because they get everything handed to them or the cost of stuff like transportation is too high. Let your young kid play alone? You might have the cops called on you.

fleddr 4y ago

Late 80s, Netherlands. As of the age of 6, I was free roaming on my tiny bicycle. I could go wherever I please, zero supervision, just be back in time for diner. And of course without any technology (smartphone). Modern parents would have a heart attack.