The Deterioration of Childhood Safety

80 years ago, parents felt comfortable letting their children play outside, even if they were not in the immediate vicinity. There wasn't grave danger lurking around every corner, and if, somehow, the kids got lost, neighbors, or friendly neighborhood peace officers would simply help the lost children find their way home to grateful, relieved parents.

40 years ago, parents began feeling unsafe allowing their kids play outside unsupervised. There was always a danger of kidnappers, bullies, or any sort of stranger just waiting to enact terror on children. "My, how society has changed," parents and onlookers would sadly remark.

These days, the danger is twofold. Things are not really any safer than they were 40 years ago, so parents have to be more vigilant than they were 80 years ago. But there now is another danger, almost as terrifying as the kidnapper, and far more ubiquitous...neighborhood tattletales, and their friends, Law Enforcement.

Should you somehow lose sight of your children for 5 minutes, there is a real chance that when someone notices them alone, they will immediately call Law Enforcement. Here are the consequences...

1. Your children may or may not be returned to you. 

2. You may be arrested for being a negligent guardian.

3. If arrested, you will have to post bail, usually in the thousands of dollars, which you may or may not get back at a later date.

4. Your state's version of Child Protective Services will most likely be an intrusion in your life and privacy for weeks or months to come.

5. This will include an inspection to make sure your children have a 'safe' environment on a daily basis.

6. This will also include an interrogation into the acceptability of your parenting in the eyes of the State.

Yet, after all this, our children are taught ad nauseam by parents, teachers, athletes, politicians, even pastors and Sunday School teachers, about our "Hero Policemen and Women", and their great service to society in keeping us safe. This madness must stop.