paranoia

bstrangely

first, i just want to say that i'm only pregnant, and i fully admit that i have no idea how terrifying it is to be a parent. i talk to my mom and dad about this, but i know that's no substitute. i only wanted to share this article after reading the infamous leash thread. i don't know if we'll use a leash or not... it probably will depend on what our child is actually like. but i was struck by how many parents spoke about creeps abducting their kids. it's interesting to think about how prevalent that fear is, when the reality is that abductions by strangers are way, way down in at least the united states. the few stories that do come up get promoted by the media because they are so gripping, and i think this leads to a perception that the world is a lot more dangerous than it used to be. my mother tells me about being sent to the store for groceries and what not when she was 6 or so, in new orleans. i don't think i'll do that with my child, but i'm astounded when i think of how different the experience of parenting is now, when such an idea is almost inconceivable.

anyway, here are some interesting articles on the subject, if anyone wants to see the numbers. i don't know how i'll feel when i actually have a little person to worry about, but i hope i'll remember that i loved being able to walk down the street to play at a friend's or at the creek at the end of the block.

https://mobile.salon.com/mwt/feature/2009/05/04/free_range_kids/index.html

https://www.imperfectparent.com/articles/articles15_1.php