An ambivalent counter point. When I was growing up, I walked to school. Elementary school was just ten minutes away walking. There was a park also within ten mi

An ambivalent counter point. When I was growing up, I walked to school. Elementary school was just ten minutes away walking. There was a park also within ten minutes from our house and I was allowed to go alone even at the age of six. I am totally for this. I don't like the idea of restricting children, I think it inhibits growth. Still, I had my near miss, and I know others of my age that had near misses too. I walked to park alone after school. I got tired of swinging on the swing set and went to sit on the park bench. Soon a man came and sat right next to me. I was uncomfortable, I slid down the park bench away from him. He soon slid right next to me again, his leg and torso against mine. I remember him being warm and sweaty and I thought him weird. I got up and went back to the swings and from the swing set stared at him. He eventually got up and left. As an adult, I'm fairly freaked out by what could have been a bad experience. I don't condone arresting parents that give their children free reign. I do understand the perspective just a little bit.