>>Kidnappings have occurred at Wal-Mart, muggings have
>>occurred at Wal-Mart. It is not OK to leave a child
>>unattended just because this is the USA
But it should be. I was allowed to be on my own lots of time (from about 4 on), because I was well behaved, and could be trusted to come back.
Kidnapping was a worry for people with money then.
Tell that to O. Henry:
"Two Desperate Men,
Gentlemen: I received your letter to-day by post, in regard to the ransom you ask for the return of my son. I think you are a little high in your demands, and I hereby make you a counter-proposition, which I am inclined to believe you will accept. You bring Johnny home and pay me two hundred and fifty dollars in cash, and I agree to take him off your hands. You had better come at night, for the neighbours believe he is lost, and I couldn't be responsible for what they would do to anybody they saw bringing him back.
Very respectfully,"
You wrote: But it should be. I was allowed to be on my own lots of time (from about 4 on), because I was well behaved, and could be trusted to come back.
It should be, but it just isn't. I was obedient, I was allowed out on my own, the run of the neighborhood, even taking our bikes downtown to the Dairy Queen.
That was the 50's and 60's. Things are not the same today. Sad, but true.