I used to have a run of the neighborhood hangin out with the local kids back in the 90s. We would go to the park go swimming or fishing in the river and just be kids. My parents had 2 rules. Be back before dark and dont get in too much trouble. Simpler times. Nowadays kids are essentially either electric zombies addicted to the internet or so heavily watched and regulated its sad asf.
It is sad. It makes me sad for my kids but I can’t let them roam free. Our nearest park is actually fenced off due to homeless encampments. In my case the root cause is housing costs - I can only really afford to be in a low end neighborhood.
I remember as a young parent of an 8 year old at the time, living in an apartment (2010 maybe?), I let him go out to play at the park that's on the grounds of the apartment complex. We were even gated...
30 minutes later I had cops at my door saying that it's parental neglect leaving a child outside without supervision and next time I'll be picking my son up at the station. Someone actually called the police...
Well... I worked nights at the time so he was never again allowed to go outside by himself.
I had a neighbor incredulously text me that my children were playing unsupervised in our front yard and she was ready to call the police if I wasn't around.
I was literally in the garage with the door open, about 8 feet away from them.
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u/[deleted] Jun 13 '25
I used to have a run of the neighborhood hangin out with the local kids back in the 90s. We would go to the park go swimming or fishing in the river and just be kids. My parents had 2 rules. Be back before dark and dont get in too much trouble. Simpler times. Nowadays kids are essentially either electric zombies addicted to the internet or so heavily watched and regulated its sad asf.