OK, am climbing off the fence for a min or two. Imparting some nostalgia here, which really does show my age.
Xenia, I kind of agree with you my dear. I grew up in the days whereby latchkey kids were one a penny. Im trying to recall the exact age I first went up the 'short' Avenue to the park. No...cant be done! I do remember though playing in the back alley, around other kids gardens and running up the Avenue, at a very young age, maybe 5, 6ish. I also remember walking to school on my own from a young age - 7 years. And to get to school, was one of two routes. 1st - through said mentioned park which had an outdoor swimming pool (oh those were the days), or 2nd the jolly long way round on the road (pavement). We always chose the park.
I was a coppers daughter, and I can only imagine (cant ask, cos poor man is dead now) that things must have been very diff. back then. And dad being a copper was very integral part of the community - and would have privvy info to such things as Peodo's etc. To allow us to go alone, must have meant that he/people back then, felt it was safe.
Often when we (me and sis) were a bit older, maybe 10 ish, we had to go home to an empty house cos mum had to do a few hours extra working (she was nurse) and dad was still on shift, we just made our selves comfy, raided the pantry/larder and watched Little house on the Prairie LOL
I do have to say, that there was an unsavoury occassion that happened right on our doorstep. At the age of 14. I think. OUr back garden overlooked the end house/side of at the start of the back Avenue I mentioned. Turns out there was a peodo living there, but he was interested in older kids, 10 years plus that he would lust after. He passed me discusting material one day which of course I past to dad. the police swooped all over his house. was quite exciting for a 14 year old to watch - accept I was a very young, naive (very naive) 14 year old, and it never did bother me. Im not sure thinking on, I realised what was going on. In those days he would have just been called a pervert. I didnt know of peodo's.
So, you see. Becaue of technology, media etc we are exposed and made aware of such things that whlst they did exist, we knew very little of. And so people did feel safer. Kids did walk to school on their own.
What would I do today? would I let my kids walk to school on their own? I would have to know a few things first; 1. my kids ability to avoid/recognise trouble 2. the route to school etc. If I think they will be as naive as me, then no, I would not allow them to journey to school until I was comfortable.
At the end of the day, each child is different. The environment they grow up in different, and a parents outlook/view is different.
I do feel sad, that my kids may not be able to explore the woods like I did; climb trees like I did; run around in the foundations of a soon to be new housing estate; scrump for apples; go fishing on their own with a net and come back to show me their catch....the way I did, without mum or dad watching over them. I think that is very sad, but there we are.... these are the times we live in.