School’s out and the children are free. Most flee to the exhaust-ridden yellow buses or to the idling cars of their parents, but some don’t. Instead, some elementary children walk home alone.
And these small children aren’t just nine or eight! I’ve seen children with backpacks bigger than them and no older than six crossing the street by themselves. One little boy who crossed in front of me wasn’t older than six and was so small I couldn’t see him over the hood of my car. How on earth is that safe?
Sure, the children are warned repeatedly and know not to talk to or accept rides from strangers. But can they defend themselves? No, because they’re small and weak and easily picked up by anyone older and larger.
I know the school systems have rules when it comes to a kid’s transportation, especially the buses. Live this far away, and get to ride the bus. Any closer and the parents have to make their own arrangements. And, yes, it’s hard to find someone else who is reliable and trustworthy enough to play nanny to your children.
But is letting your eight-year-old walk home better than making arrangements? No, in fact, it’s worse.
The world is a bigger and different place now than when you were a little kid. Most children don’t walk across fields and down dirt roads anymore. No, they walk across large intersections and down heavily trafficked roads.
Today, schools are everywhere and close together. My neighborhood is surrounded by schools and there is a university not three miles away.
Now, wasn’t there a warning (possibly a statistic) that people who mean harm to children, mainly pedophiles, live close to schools? If that’s the case, aren’t young children walking alone in an area where there are three different schools at risk?
Article comments
1 - Dr. Juliann Mitchell, PhD
Kelsey,
You are correct the world can be a "dangerous place" for young children walking to school. I have listed a link for anyone who wants to find out if a convicted criminal lives in their neighboorhood--
http://criminalsearches.com/neighborhood/default.aspx.
Sex offenders can physically overpower a child but sometimes they will engage him or her in conversation with a promise of a favorite treat or an opportunity to look at a puppy or kitten or a new video game or just ask them about their day at school. Child are vulnerable and its feels good to have someone takes an interst in them. Its all part of the grooming process the predator uses to help the child begin to trust them and feel safe with them.
When parents warn children about strangers sometimes they forget that the child takes them literally at what they say, "Stay away from strangers." Pedophiles are usually skilled in knowing what to say to a child that is non-threatening and they know how to become the childs friend and then in the childs mind they are no longer a stranger but a new friend. Sexual predators are excellent at manipulating young minds. It is our job to keep our children safe. Thanks for the gentle reminder.
Juliann
2 - Joanne Huspek
I don't know of any children who walk to school, small or large. While it's true there is stranger danger, the bigger concern I have is that our kids don't have the luxury of walking to something as innocent as school. On one side, our kids are safe, but on the other, they are pampered and lazy.
3 - Brian Murff
@Joanne:
Hypothetically speaking (as I don't have kids), I'd rather them be lazy and still alive than independent and kidnapped/dead/scared/hurt/etc. Walking to school is all well and good, but Kelsey and I both live in Norman, OK. Kids "don't have the luxury of walking to something as innocent as school" because this is Oklahoma, which has issues with poverty, pedophiles and meth heads (the first and last have strong correlation). I wouldn't let a child walk to school by themselves until they're at least eleven or twelve.
4 - CallmeMaddy
I totally agree. When I was a kid, I refused to walk home from school. :) I was lazy. I was in daycare/CEC until seventh grade. That's where I would put my children.
And I purposely don't drive near the elementary schools when I'm driving home. Those little kids love to jump in front of cars and I'm afraid I won't see them.
Nice article!
Maddy
5 - Sofie
wow! This can help my friend with his persuasive purposal essay! i luv it it's so interesting and it definatly engages me as a reader!