Unfortunately, today’s children aren’t safe outside thanks to the perverts. My kids are watched even in our backyard and a big pit bull stands guard.
I used to. Run all over, even as a 5 year old. Not anymore.
I'm not so sure that the percentage of perverts changed much over the last, say, ten thousand years (modulo cultural variations, like the ancient Greece.)
What did change, though, is the awareness of those crimes. If a kid anywhere in the USA is abducted then everyone else in the country instantly knows about it. This allows a dozen criminals to terrorize tens of millions of parents. However only a few decades ago the news would be only printed in the local newspaper, and hardly anyone - even in the next town - would know. People would feel safer. And in practice the chance of a kid to be abducted or otherwise hurt by a criminal are miniscule compared to other risks that growing up entails.
Yet another factor is access to children, which is getting easier as more and more people live in large cities. A hundred years ago if a stranger shows up in the village he will be noticed. Today if a stranger walks into Los Angeles ... do you think many people there will pay attention?
But, unfortunately, the old-fashioned decay of the society is also taking place. That's what most comments in this thread are about. The value of honest work, and the need to work, are being diluted by government's handouts. When people don't need to work for food they start getting other ideas, not always good ones. Why not if they are all set for life and have nothing to worry about.
Unfortunately, today’s children aren’t safe outside thanks to the perverts.
“Unfortunately, today’s children aren’t safe outside thanks to the perverts. My kids are watched even in our backyard and a big pit bull stands guard.”
Depending on age, I think this can be overdone. The increased danger is as much a perception problem caused by news coverage as anything else. I know there were child molesters when I was in 2nd grade—and that was a long time ago. But it was handled firmly and quietly.
My 12 year old is going to get “how to schedule and ride the bus by yourself” lessons next year. He and Dad will take some trips around town together and go wherever he says to go. See how it comes out. Then turn him loose. He’s old enough and that is an important life skill—in addition to giving him some independence.
Yes. There are risks. But there are risks not doing it too.