Curious what people think.

The Overprotected Kid

A preoccupation with safety has stripped childhood of independence, risk taking, and discovery—without making it safer. A new kind of playground points to a better solution. [preview.tinyurl.com]

I, and my friends, in the late 50s and 60s, had more freedom than anyone could ever want! But there's more to MY story than what first meets the eye.

I went wherever I wanted, including alone in boats on the ocean, climbing huge trees, climbing 50 foot sheer cliffs, wondering the woods (more on that later!) riding my bike or walking everywhere. EVERYWHERE!

I remember being warned about our gay neighbor who had served time for having sex with underage teen boys in a different town (did he know? Probably not). The warning was simply to tell my parents if he ever DID try anything with me.

I was allowed to sleepover with his brother (who was my age) whom he had custody of after their parents died. He was a pillar of the community, volunteering for all kinds of things, including with the fire dept auxillary. As far as I know he NEVER had any issues with underage boys again.

I was even going to be allowed to travel to NYC with them, but I chickened out (I was so shy and such a homebody)!

My point in all of this isn't just about how much freedom and responsibility I had, but the fact that I NEVER told my parents that THIS guy wasn't the problem. No, it was the neighbor on the other side...The teenage son of my Sunday School teacher, who was "having fun" with me (it started when I was about 8 or 9) in the woods behind our house, and in his bedroom, and in mine. And wherever we found the opportunity! Haha!

Ahh, the good old days!