Things have gotten out of hand, but in cases like this, it’s usually not the local government that gets the ball rolling. It’s usually the general public that screams when some kid gets hit by a car or abducted. Then the politicians figure they have to do something. To be fair, it’s more dangerous to walk a mike or so now than it was 30 or 40 years ago because the roads are bigger, there’s a lot more traffic, and maintenance of these road has been minimal for a decade or better.
Depends on the neighborhood. Saw a story yesterday about a 13-year old girl who escaped from her would-be abductor by screaming and kicking him in the groin.
Child abductions by strangers (as opposed to non-custodial family members) are incredibly rare, and have NOT become any more common in recent times than they were decades ago. We just THINK they are more common now because we hear about them so much. But children are actually much safer now than they have ever been. http://news.discovery.com/human/psychology/stranger-child-abductions-actually-very-rare-130514.htm
And very few of the missing children we hear about are “stranger danger” situations. Children are in MUCH more danger of exploitation from someone they know (relative, babysitter, clergyperson, etc).
Their odds of being abducted and killed by a stranger are similar to getting hit by lightning (about 50 cases per year each in the US), but do we spend all our time putting our kids through lightning drills?
And it is NOT true that “one can never be too safe” — “free-range” children are more self-reliant, resourceful, confident, and creative than those who are watched every moment by an adult and taught to view the world as a scary scary place. Excessive fear is not without cost.
Agent54 over 9 years ago
Actual case and typical of over paranoid local government and busy body neighbors.
cdward over 9 years ago
Things have gotten out of hand, but in cases like this, it’s usually not the local government that gets the ball rolling. It’s usually the general public that screams when some kid gets hit by a car or abducted. Then the politicians figure they have to do something. To be fair, it’s more dangerous to walk a mike or so now than it was 30 or 40 years ago because the roads are bigger, there’s a lot more traffic, and maintenance of these road has been minimal for a decade or better.
katzenbooks45 over 9 years ago
Depends on the neighborhood. Saw a story yesterday about a 13-year old girl who escaped from her would-be abductor by screaming and kicking him in the groin.
neverenoughgold over 9 years ago
I think I will side with Agent54 on this…
calliopejane over 9 years ago
Child abductions by strangers (as opposed to non-custodial family members) are incredibly rare, and have NOT become any more common in recent times than they were decades ago. We just THINK they are more common now because we hear about them so much. But children are actually much safer now than they have ever been. http://news.discovery.com/human/psychology/stranger-child-abductions-actually-very-rare-130514.htm
And very few of the missing children we hear about are “stranger danger” situations. Children are in MUCH more danger of exploitation from someone they know (relative, babysitter, clergyperson, etc).
Their odds of being abducted and killed by a stranger are similar to getting hit by lightning (about 50 cases per year each in the US), but do we spend all our time putting our kids through lightning drills?
And it is NOT true that “one can never be too safe” — “free-range” children are more self-reliant, resourceful, confident, and creative than those who are watched every moment by an adult and taught to view the world as a scary scary place. Excessive fear is not without cost.
Jim Kerner over 9 years ago
Count me in too. What a shame that this can’t be continued.
EchoGirl21 almost 9 years ago
I remember that.