The Art of Manliness #300: How to Raise Free Range Kids
May 2, 2017
Lenore Skenazy, an author and advocate for unsupervised childhood experiences, discusses her journey from being branded 'America’s Worst Mom' to championing free-range parenting. She reveals how societal fears have reshaped parenting norms and shares surprising statistics about the rarity of child abduction. Anecdotes highlight the challenges parents face in allowing independence, while emphasizing the vital role of unstructured play in fostering resilience and social skills. Skenazy provides actionable tips for parents eager to promote self-reliance in their kids.
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Origins of Free Range Kids
- Lenore Skenazy let her nine-year-old ride the New York City subway alone, sparking widespread media attention and criticism.
- This incident launched her Free Range Kids movement advocating for kids' independent exploration.
Worst-Case Thinking in Parenting
- Society now assumes any unsupervised child is in grave danger, which fuels excessive parental fear.
- This 'worst case first' thinking leads to overprotective parenting and unnecessary intervention by authorities.
Society Fuels Overprotection
- Overprotective parenting stems from societal pressures rather than just individual parental fears.
- Laws and tech contribute to constant child surveillance and reduce parents' freedom to trust their kids.