4 ms·

Back in the 70s there didn't have to be a name like "free-range". It was just playing. We were probably around 7 or so, riding around on our Huffys, playing i

Back in the 70s there didn't have to be a name like "free-range". It was just playing. We were probably around 7 or so, riding around on our Huffys, playing in the woods, jumping in fiber glass in new construction, etc.. I don't see kids running around outside that much anymore. I think there's a lot of scare-mongering by the media for things that have always been present, and a lot of nosy, do-gooders with too much time on their hands. That said, as a parent of a 2 year old, I can't really see myself letting my kid in 4 years run around without much supervision. I guess one difference was that we always had our little gang with us...at least 3 or 4 of us always together.

orbitingpluto 12y ago
Well in the 80s, the term was latchkey kid. There was a bit of a stigma to being one in Stepfordish suburbia, as it meant either both parents had to work (and therefor you were poor) or you were the product of a broken home.
- gwern 12y ago
  No, latchkey kid isn't quite right. 'latchkey' was for kids who came home to an empty house - no mom waiting for them with snacks or to check they were doing their homework, the stereotype being that the latchkey kid would pig out on junk food and watch TV. eg I had a stay-at-home mom and was allowed to roam with friends, so while I might've been somewhat free-range, I was not a latchkey kid.
- mikerichards 12y ago
  It was neither in my case. I don't remember any of the mothers working.
- jawngee 12y ago
  It might be a matter of local experience, but in junior high school (late 80's), if your parents weren't divorced or both parents didn't work, you were the odd man out. Like there was something weird going on with you. The divorced kids were definitely the "cool kids" that year by a long stretch.
readme 12y ago
Garbage news designed to make advertising money instead of reporting important news and sensational journalism are definitely a huge part, but I also have to wonder if the Internet has helped to create more sexual predators by increasing the availability of illegal kinds of pornography
- mod 12y ago
  Is there any evidence there are more predators now? It's increasingly hard to commit crimes and avoid detection, given cameras & forensic advances, so I'd guess less borderline predators act on their desires than in the past. I wouldn't guess the number per capita has changed very much, at least of "real-life" predators (non-digital).

orbitingpluto 12y ago

Well in the 80s, the term was latchkey kid. There was a bit of a stigma to being one in Stepfordish suburbia, as it meant either both parents had to work (and therefor you were poor) or you were the product of a broken home.

gwern 12y ago
No, latchkey kid isn't quite right. 'latchkey' was for kids who came home to an empty house - no mom waiting for them with snacks or to check they were doing their homework, the stereotype being that the latchkey kid would pig out on junk food and watch TV. eg I had a stay-at-home mom and was allowed to roam with friends, so while I might've been somewhat free-range, I was not a latchkey kid.
mikerichards 12y ago
It was neither in my case. I don't remember any of the mothers working.
jawngee 12y ago
It might be a matter of local experience, but in junior high school (late 80's), if your parents weren't divorced or both parents didn't work, you were the odd man out. Like there was something weird going on with you. The divorced kids were definitely the "cool kids" that year by a long stretch.

readme 12y ago

Garbage news designed to make advertising money instead of reporting important news and sensational journalism are definitely a huge part, but I also have to wonder if the Internet has helped to create more sexual predators by increasing the availability of illegal kinds of pornography

mod 12y ago
Is there any evidence there are more predators now? It's increasingly hard to commit crimes and avoid detection, given cameras & forensic advances, so I'd guess less borderline predators act on their desires than in the past. I wouldn't guess the number per capita has changed very much, at least of "real-life" predators (non-digital).