Very long story. I can't imagine giving my kids the freedom that I had. Some of it is city versus suburbs, but some is just that times change and we get more aware of the danger.
In addition to physical danger, there is significant research suggesting we need to let our kids fail academically. Too many freshman arrive at top schools fragile.
"Times change" indeed. It's safer now than when you or I were kids. Crime rates have gone down. There are fewer pedestrian deaths. It's harder for kids to get access to tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs.
Yes, it's much safer for kids now, so I can see why you would give your kids less freedom than you had.
1. Where I grew up there was a good deal of intermittent, unintrusive surveillance from adults--mothers looking out the windows from time to time. Their daughters weren't necessarily home when the kids got home from school. Some adults may be forgetting that level of oversight.
2. Kids, anyway some kids, will find a way. A dozen years ago in the DC suburbs I heard voices from an open manhole cover, and looked in. There was a kid of about 12 down there. Being the responsible adult, I said, "Hey! You kids shouldn't be down there." The kid said, 'Oh, we're down here a lot. We go all the way over to the middle school." (Say three quarters of a mile.)
In addition to physical danger, there is significant research suggesting we need to let our kids fail academically. Too many freshman arrive at top schools fragile.
http://www.livescience.com/10663-helicopter-parents-neurotic...