We hear a lot, these days, about how children's lives are over scheduled and over protected. How they are becoming unable to empathize with real life and lack the street smarts that they can only gain by getting to play on the street, unsupervised by the ever watchful eye of a parent or caregiver. The problem is that today's parents have been left with little choice.
We live in a different world. Communities are more congested and, at the same time, people are more remote from one another. The truth is that when kids played outside alone, entire neighborhoods were looking out for each other's kids. Everything was more or less within walking distance and everybody knew each other.
People did not really fear strangers because if a stranger came to town they got noticed. Fast. Kids knew whom to stay away from. Today, kids need to stay away from everybody, because there are more strangers than friends. There are more places to hide and much further that they can get taken before anybody notices.
They are also more curious, more willing to take risks because they are more desensitized to reality. There are more movies, more things on television that confuse the atrocities of mankind with the atrocities of imagination for the sake of pure entertainment. Reality television, mixed with the evening news, mixed with movies and prime time shows based on true stories, mixed with true stories inspired by stuff they saw on television. It's all too confusing for young minds. How can they be expected to cope? Most adults can't tell the difference anymore.
Unfortunately, the reality of the day is that it is a different world than the one we grew up in. Today's world is one where kids have to practice lock down drills the same way that they practice fire drills. Bullying has escalated to the point of viral proportions, taking advantage of ever advancing technology, making it harder and harder to control. Adults are able to mascaraed as kids and lure them in ways never possible, in the past.
Perhaps one day there will be a revolt, a return of sorts, to a time where reality and fiction are not so inter-woven. Maybe it will be easier to guard our children and our streets from those who wish to do them harm. Perhaps children will grow up in neighborhoods and schools where fellow kids are not completely devoid of respect for others, and life itself. Maybe things will change.
It would be nice if we lived in somewhat simpler times but, the reality of the day makes it impossible for most parents to forget, forgive and move on. We have to be more vigilant. We have to be more watchful. These days, we really can't be too careful.
