• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Mom arrested after son was reported walking alone

In Northeast Pennsylvania in the late 1970's, I was driving a small farm tractor by age 10. I would take the larger tractor with a bailer wagon combo out into the fields by age 12. Not entirely legal of course, but in those days they let that slide.

Being that I lived in a completely rural county, I covered a lot of ground on foot, and at an age younger than 10.

Don't want kids out without direct supervision. They might get ideas.

 
Laws vary by state 🤷‍♀️

At 10? In today’s world? Letting a kid go a mile or so away by themselves can be questionable.

I wouldn’t let my 9 year old go walking a mile by himself…even though I live in a good neighborhood and town.

A few houses in a close area not crossing any major roads? And with permission and me knowing where he IS going and them knowing he IS coming? Sure.

Out wandering on his own for hours unsupervised? No way.




Your mileage may vary based on the kid AND the state.



I also don’t let my kid ride the bus to and from school because we live on a busy road and I’ve watched cars blast through the bus “stop sign” - largely because people aren’t actually paying attention driving.

The problem to me isn’t the kids and it isn’t even the “danger” of kidnapping, etc.

The problem tends to be distracted drivers that are not paying attention because they’re on phones, etc…and kids that also don’t have to ability to realize drivers are NOT paying attention (and kids themselves not paying attention)


I don’t know the specifics of this situation enough to know if perhaps this is a pattern of behavior with this family. It could be 🤷‍♀️



And frankly…just because “we” were left unsupervised as kids doesn’t mean that by any stretch “best practices”. It just means we were lucky enough that nothing bad happened. 🤷‍♀️
 
I read this story elsewhere last week and it's just insane. This nanny government crap has GOT to stop.
Rural Georgia. Ultra-conservative. Not a nanny state, a daddy state.
 
Lutherf said:
I read this story elsewhere last week and it's just insane. This nanny government crap has GOT to stop.

Republican Dane Kirby was reelected as Sheriff on November 5, 2024.
Solid MAGA county. 80something percent Trump.
Conservatives love a big, strong Daddy state, the stronger the better. Lotsa laws so Daddy can enforce obedience and punish transgressions. Lotsa laws, Lotsa cops, lotsa courts.
 
Lutherf said:
I read this story elsewhere last week and it's just insane. This nanny government crap has GOT to stop.

Republican Dane Kirby was reelected as Sheriff on November 5, 2024.

Solid MAGA county. 80something percent Trump.
Conservatives love a big, strong Daddy state, the stronger the better. Lotsa laws so Daddy can enforce obedience and punish transgressions. Lotsa laws, Lotsa cops, lotsa courts.
Why is it that so many of you refuse to acknowledge that even some Republicans love the idea of a nanny state? The Mitt Romneys and Adam Kinzingers and George Bushs and Liz Cheneys and Paul Ryans of the party all LOVE the idea of federal control of all aspects of American life. That's why the rest of the party has been trying to vote them out for so many ****ing years!
 
Why is it that so many of you refuse to acknowledge that even some Republicans love the idea of a nanny state? The Mitt Romneys and Adam Kinzingers and George Bushs and Liz Cheneys and Paul Ryans of the party all LOVE the idea of federal control of all aspects of American life. That's why the rest of the party has been trying to vote them out for so many ****ing years!
Control of all aspects of life is not a nanny state. A nanny state is the government providing all the services necessary for health and safety. Control of all aspects of life is a daddy state.
You're welcome.
 
Laws vary by state 🤷‍♀️

At 10? In today’s world? Letting a kid go a mile or so away by themselves can be questionable.

I wouldn’t let my 9 year old go walking a mile by himself…even though I live in a good neighborhood and town.

A few houses in a close area not crossing any major roads? And with permission and me knowing where he IS going and them knowing he IS coming? Sure.

Out wandering on his own for hours unsupervised? No way.




Your mileage may vary based on the kid AND the state.



I also don’t let my kid ride the bus to and from school because we live on a busy road and I’ve watched cars blast through the bus “stop sign” - largely because people aren’t actually paying attention driving.

The problem to me isn’t the kids and it isn’t even the “danger” of kidnapping, etc.

The problem tends to be distracted drivers that are not paying attention because they’re on phones, etc…and kids that also don’t have to ability to realize drivers are NOT paying attention (and kids themselves not paying attention)


I don’t know the specifics of this situation enough to know if perhaps this is a pattern of behavior with this family. It could be 🤷‍♀️



And frankly…just because “we” were left unsupervised as kids doesn’t mean that by any stretch “best practices”. It just means we were lucky enough that nothing bad happened. 🤷‍♀️
About the age when Gaetz and trump get interested in them.
 
I know times have changed.

But have they changed so much that you are at risk of arrest for allowing your 10 year old son to walk less than a mile to town?

=================================



I grew up a Gen X kid; I would think that was least problematic thing we did growing up.
 
I know times have changed.

But have they changed so much that you are at risk of arrest for allowing your 10 year old son to walk less than a mile to town?

=================================



I remember when kids were locked outside all day and there were commercials to remind parents that they even have kids.
 
I remember when kids were locked outside all day and there were commercials to remind parents that they even have kids.
In the afternoons, though, a lot of kids were called inside by their moms, in order to try to keep them safe from polio.
 
I guess I'm in the minority here. A mile is a long way for a 10 year old child to walk alone, IMO.
 
But not bicycle.

Depends on the area. A bicycle would be more safe, IMO. He would be alone for less time and has a fast mode of transportation to get away from creepers. If this is a busy street/highway, no to walking or biking alone.
 
I used to walk a couple of miles through town to get to primary school.
It's not that unusual here.
 
I was a free-range child from the time I was 5 or 6.

My Mom never worried. She knew I was down at the creek somewhere.
 
I was a free-range child from the time I was 5 or 6.

My Mom never worried. She knew I was down at the creek somewhere.

I spent a good chunk of my childhood in a park across town playing football all day with a bunch of friends.
We never had any problems.
 
Back
Top Bottom