178. Do Kids Need More Independence?

Are modern parents too protective? Why do we worry so much about things that almost never happen? And how did Mike learn about bus stops?

• SOURCES:
  • David Bjorklund, professor of psychology at Florida Atlantic University.
  • Peter Gray, professor of psychology at Boston College.
  • David Lancy, professor emeritus of anthropology at Utah State University.
  • Lenore Skenazy, president of Let Grow and founder of the Free-Range Kids movement.

• RESOURCES:
  • "Decline in Independent Activity as a Cause of Decline in Children’s Mental Well-being: Summary of the Evidence," by Peter Gray, David Lancy, and David Bjorklund (The Journal of Pediatrics, 2023).
  • "Parental Intrusive Homework Support and Math Achievement: Does the Child's Mindset Matter?" by Daeun Park, Elizabeth Gunderson, Erin Maloney, Eli Tsukayama, Sian Beilock, Angela Duckworth, and Susan Levine (Developmental Psychology, 2023).
  • "Children Today Have Less Independence. Is That Fueling a Mental Health Crisis?" by Caitlin Gibson (The Washington Post, 2023).
  • "Yes, the ‘Old Enough!’ Kids Really Think the Camera Crew Are ‘Electricians’," by Charlotte Walsh (Tudum by Netflix, 2022).
  • "Kidnapped Children Make Headlines, but Abduction Is Rare in U.S.," by Jonathan Allen (Reuters, 2019).
  • "Utah’s ‘Free-Range Parenting’ Law Said to Be First in the Nation," by Meagan Flynn (The Washington Post, 2018).
  • "Mother Who Left Baby Outside New York Restaurant in 1997 Says Arrest Was Unjust," (The Guardian, 2017).
  • "Children’s Independent Mobility: An International Comparison and Recommendations for Action," by Ben Shaw, Martha Bicket, Bridget Elliott, Ben Fagan-Watson, and Elisabetta Mocca (Policy Studies Institute, 2015).
  • "I Let My 9-Year-Old Ride the Subway Alone. I Got Labeled the ‘World’s Worst Mom,’" by Lenore Skenazy (The Washington Post, 2015).
  • "Why I Let My 9-Year-Old Ride the Subway Alone," by Lenore Skenazy (The New York Sun, 2008).

• EXTRAS:
  • "Should You Give Kids an Allowance or Make Them Get Jobs?" by No Stupid Questions (2022).
  • Old Enough!