As I walk around suburbia and from my experience as a bus driver I am increasingly astonished as to how many children of all ages whether it be primary or high school get picked up and dropped off to school.
Very few of them walk, ride their bikes or scooters or even catch the bus or train. I must say that I see more high school students out on their own but not in the numbers as seen in the 70's and 80's for example.
There would be a number of reasons for the sharp decline in kids getting themselves to and from school and the main reason would be parents' fears of something happening to their child. Parents fear the supposed increase in pedophiles hanging around. I believe that there is no more nasty people around today than there was in 1976, it is just reported more these days and therefore it seems like it is more prevalent.
The streets around almost every school from about 2.30pm-3.15pm are almost gridlocked. Parents park illegally and with blatant disregard for residents in that particular street. Many parents even park then walk into the school grounds to wait for little Johnny or Mary-Ann at the classroom door.
How bloody ridiculous. Children need to be given their own space and freedom. Walking, riding or catching the bus to and from school either on their own or with friends builds their self confidence and social skills. Parents cannot wrap them in cotton wool and protect them from everything until they turn 30.
Yes, I agree, something may happen. Then again in may not! They may have an accident or they may encounter a person wishing them harm. They could just as easily be hit by falling space junk or get struck by lightning. We cannot live our lives on the 'what if' principal. If that were the case we should all go live in a cave somewhere in the outback just in case we encounter a terrorist who wants to blow us up.
I regularly encounter and observe children, teenagers and young adults who have no self confidence to fend for themselves. This is because their parents have wrapped them so tight in a cocoon to protect them from all the bad things they may or may not encounter.
The Government and schools should embark on a spirited campaign to encourage children of all ages to walk, ride or use public transport to get to and from school. Parents need to let go. As a parent myself, I admit I worry when my children are out and about on their own, its only natural to worry about their welfare. However, I cannot and I will not let my fear ruin their experience to grow and experience the world on their own. My parents awarded me with the same freedom in the 1970's. I walked to primary school and later caught the bus or train into the City to attend high school. I have fond memories of the experience and I learnt how to interact with authority figures and other members of the public. These skills are lost to many youth today, primarily due to the fears of their parents.
Many reported incidents over the past few years of people molesting or assaulting children have been adults in positions of trust or family members. Statistics show that very few children are molested or assaulted by a stranger, it is usually someone they know.
We need to give our children freedom to experience the world on their own.
That's my opinion
