FFS, I’m 60, and when I was a child, we had the run of the neighborhood. In summer, we’d leave the house after breakfast, get in our bikes and be who knows where all day, except for dropping by home for a quick lunch. And we didn’t have cellphones back in the day. There were enough stay at home moms and retirees in the neighborhood to keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary—-without meddling and calling CPS (unless there was something harmful and/or illegal going on—-and even then they made damn sure they had proof!). In fact, there was enough of a network that, if my friends and I crossed a street we shouldn’t have crossed, our mothers already knew about it before we got home. Unless you’re living in a crime-riddled neighborhood, your kids will be just fine being “free range”. They’re not stupid, and if you make sure to educate them about appropriate adult behavior and ways to avoid getting into trouble, you’ll be raising a future smart, independent, and resourceful adult.

Very much depends on the neighborhood. I live in the heart of LA and see twelve year olds biking around, 10YO girls on the sidewalk alone on occasion.

This says a lot about the crime rate in that area.

As with everywhere else, the extent to which kids go unsupervised has very much to do with crime rates and risks in general such as traffic.

Really? That happens all the time here (the riding bikes to school, not the CPS part).

Apparently people don't steal your children as often in the countries most of you posters live in who think this is crazy. I know when I was a child in the 80's U.S. i was almost abducted one one occasion and back then it was totally normal for kids to be out and about in groups or playing even walking alone to a friend's or to school was normal. Half the parents were not even home when we got home from school. These days however people will kidnap and traffic your kids right off the sidewalk if your not watching them every minute. That's what makes most American parents too scared to let them just walk the neighborhood without supervision. Of course it also depends on what state and what city in said state you live in.

I used to walk to school from the first grade on. Had to cross a road and everything. All my classmates did. No problems

This is something that only started with, believe it or not, the internet, where people who don't have a freaking clue decide to tell others how to live their lives and if you do not "submit" they're gonna tell on you. Too many people in America are only "playing" at being adults. They have NEVER been an adult, so they are playing just like they did when their physical age was six. Their mental age has never changed.

That's just odd. My brother and I walked to school.. must be because of the state like wilvanderheijden said.

It has to do with threat perception. The danger of kidnapping is low but the fear of it is high. Due to the high fear of children being taken and injuried or killed it has been considered neglectful to leave children unsupervised. Neighbors would report you for allowing children to walk to the store or park alone. Some places are now beginning to pass laws saying this is not neglectful. On top of that some places have a problem with teen gangs so teens are not allowed in some malls or shopping centers unless they are alone or with a parent. No groups of teens allowed.

This is just insane people

I'm glad there's not Kidnappers, Pedophiles, Traffickers, Murderers, Drunk Drivers, etc... in The Netherlands or Wherever they moved from

that's a load of BS, I live in the US and I've lived in the city and now in the country and haven't ever seen or heard of anything like that. That's some crazy propaganda crap.

I live in an old neighborhood next to the high school and just down the street from elementary school. Kids here walk/bike to school all the time.

I used to walk to school alone, but it's illegal now (Italy)

Children are entirely disenfranchised in the USA until age 18, and then they still can’t buy alcohol, but CAN join the military or be drafted to die in unnecessary wars.

This is something I don't get with countries that don't let their kids go alone... IN Johannesburg, you'll find 10 year olds and even younger navigating the city with no problem at all. They wake up and go to school by themselves using one of the most hostile transport systems in the world

thats not a thing in most of america

That sounds ridiculous. My kids walk to school.

Depends on where you are in the U.S. You can get away with it where I live because my neighborhood is safe, but in other places your kid might get snatched.