From: smudd@vstn1.math.uoknor.edu (Mudd, Stephanie)
Subject: Re: Neighborhood dangers...
Originator: news@kittyhawk.ecn.uoknor.edu
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 20:51:00 GMT
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: Mathematics Computer Network, University of Oklahoma

In article <9210131345.AA21161@panhed.psc.edu>, grant@panhed.psc.edu (Shirl Grant) writes...
>>If your parents let you run around unaccompanied in a neighborhood with 
>>unknown dangers at an age when you were incapable of comprehending them, it 
>>sounds like they were lax in their parental duties.
> 
>Ok, I guess I'll get flamed for this one.  I do not think 10 years old
>is too young to "run around the neighborhood" without a parent (in most
>neighborhoods, that is, like mine).
> 
>Now, in my neighborhood, Pittsburgh suburbs, there ar no dangers like
>railroad tracks, busy highways, etc.  But my neighborhood is full of
>woods and hills (Western PA).  My kids could fall and hurt themselves,
>and no one would know.  I plan to set time limits on "free play" (like
>30 minutes or something) in which they must check back at the house. 
>If they are not back, I will look for them.
> 
>I do not consider myself a negligent parent, but I do not want to be a
>doting parent that will not let their children play without me watching
>every move.  They need their time alone to do those things that they
>can't do with Mommy there, ya know, those things that help them grow up
>healthy and confident.
> 
>Am I really out in left field here?  I grew up really sheltered, and
>went absolutely crazy when I moved out.  I do not want to make that
>mistake with my kids.  Maybe I have the age range wrong.  What age
>should we let our kids play in the neighborhood unattended?  Since my
>son is only 2.5, this is truly new ground for me.
> 
>-Shirl



I am not a parent, but soon hope to be (have been trying for about a year and a
half with no luck).  I live in a neighborhood that is nothing but duplexs 
except for the
triplex that I live in.  I would say that every 2 out of 3 homes in this
neighborhood have children.  When I first moved in, it was a pretty good
neighborhood, but has since gone down hill.  I get home from work about 5:15
and I have to dodge at least 7 to 10 children who are playing in the streets in
my neighborhood. These children continue playing outside until dark.  I have
seen children that look like they are no older than 4 playing outside after
dark about 4 blocks from their home.  I have gone outside on several occasions
and found these kids playing in between my neighbors and my cars with boards,
hiding from the other kids.  Both my neighbor and  myself have told them time
after time not to play by the cars, but it doesn't help.  I have never seen
their parents out looking for them either.  I honestly believe that the parents
don't 
care what they are doing just as long as they are not bothering them.  About 3
weeks ago my husband saw the 4 year old out in the front yard using the
bathroom.  I am sorry, but I just can't go for this. I was raised that you
don't play in other peoples yard unless you are playing with their child.  And
you especially don't use the bathroom in someones front yard.  I
may be old fashion, but I will not allow my child to run around the
neighborhood unsupervised.  I sometimes would just like to find the parents of
these kids and give them a good shaking and tell them to take care of their
kids.  I may get flamed, but this is how I feel about this particular subject.  

Thank you for letting me share my views even though I am not yet a parent.

Stephanie
smudd@nsfuvax.math.uoknor.edu