05-29-2010, 02:09 PM
Hal,
It's a different world. I grew up in a nice upper middle class area on Long Island. When I was the age you presented in your original post, I'd take the bus to school, my mom would drop me off, I'd walk or I'd ride a bike, depending on the time, circumstances and weather. I was close enough for all of these options. If weather permitted, I'd usually walk or ride a bike home.
No more.
Here are four reasons:
1. Scheduling and after school activities including hanging with friends. These days, many of the activities I used to do after school as a kid are far enough away that a car is required to get to them. Sports individual and/or team)? Depends on the sport and who offers it. Hanging with friends? Requires a car, bike or walking, depending on friend. Want to hang out in town? Bike or car. Walking is viable but it can be a hike and, depending on the way, along streets that don't necessarily have a sidewalk.
2. Traffic and dangerous drivers. This is a _major_ issue and it's become far worse over the years, especially with the advent of cellular phones. I don't trust drivers to follow traffic laws and be aware of what's happening around them. Jabbering on cell phones. Not stopping for a right turn on red. Ignoring traffic devices including stop and yield signs. You name it.
3. Street design. The majority of the local roads in my area do not have sidewalks. That means pedestrians are more exposed to cars. Taking into consideration dangerous drivers, it more riskier than ever to walk on roads that don't have sidewalks.
4. Backpacks. When I was in school, backpacks tended to be heavy because of the sheer number of "stuff" I needed to take to school each day. I taught middle school and high school English and based on my observations it's just as bad now as it was back then. I wouldn't want my child walking home with that amount of weight on hi/her back unnecessarily. A notebook or two, a textbook or two and some stuff, not an issue. Kids have much more than that in their packs.
Robert
It's a different world. I grew up in a nice upper middle class area on Long Island. When I was the age you presented in your original post, I'd take the bus to school, my mom would drop me off, I'd walk or I'd ride a bike, depending on the time, circumstances and weather. I was close enough for all of these options. If weather permitted, I'd usually walk or ride a bike home.
No more.
Here are four reasons:
1. Scheduling and after school activities including hanging with friends. These days, many of the activities I used to do after school as a kid are far enough away that a car is required to get to them. Sports individual and/or team)? Depends on the sport and who offers it. Hanging with friends? Requires a car, bike or walking, depending on friend. Want to hang out in town? Bike or car. Walking is viable but it can be a hike and, depending on the way, along streets that don't necessarily have a sidewalk.
2. Traffic and dangerous drivers. This is a _major_ issue and it's become far worse over the years, especially with the advent of cellular phones. I don't trust drivers to follow traffic laws and be aware of what's happening around them. Jabbering on cell phones. Not stopping for a right turn on red. Ignoring traffic devices including stop and yield signs. You name it.
3. Street design. The majority of the local roads in my area do not have sidewalks. That means pedestrians are more exposed to cars. Taking into consideration dangerous drivers, it more riskier than ever to walk on roads that don't have sidewalks.
4. Backpacks. When I was in school, backpacks tended to be heavy because of the sheer number of "stuff" I needed to take to school each day. I taught middle school and high school English and based on my observations it's just as bad now as it was back then. I wouldn't want my child walking home with that amount of weight on hi/her back unnecessarily. A notebook or two, a textbook or two and some stuff, not an issue. Kids have much more than that in their packs.
Robert