http://www.newsweek.com/id/133103/page/1
A journalist let her 9 year old son ride the subway alone, from the Upper East side to their home in Manhattan. When she wrote about this, she got A LOT of criticism from people who say the world is scarier and worse now and kids need alot of supervision versus the praise from those who claim that coddling kids too much does them worse rather than benefit them.
Wanted to know your guys’ thoughts on this.
PS: I should’ve quoted the title, since it’s not mine but was the title of her follow-up article to the cricism.
Re: Worst Mother in America
lol
thousands of kids travel alone these days, it's just that she wrote about it that got the attention and probably from the suburban white folks.
Re: Worst Mother in America
If I had a 9 year old who was responsible enough and aware enough of things like "stranger danger" then I think I'd let him ride the subway too. Yes, kids need lots of supervision but they also need freedoms and independence that are appropriate to their age and ability...this is a tough one yeah? I mean when I was growing up, I was a girl scout. earned a badge on babysitting and was - at the age of 12 - a certified babysitter. These days, if you leave your kids alone with a 12-year old and something bad happens like the house burns down or something...well then you can expect to lose your kids and be deemed unfit as a parent. I do not have a babysitter for my own boys but when I was young, I certainly did when my parents wanted to go out for dinner or a movie. Not really an option these days unless you have close family nearby which i do not. Not that I mind all that much - I mean, I told my hubby that when we have kids there is only one thing that could keep me away overnite. he was like "yeah, on our anniversary?" my response was "nope, its when i go to the hospital to deliver our next one!" Sadly, thats how things have to be in this day and age.
Re: Worst Mother in America
lol
thousands of kids travel alone these days, it's just that she wrote about it that got the attention and probably from the suburban white folks.
Also, this kid didn't travel very far, he wetn from the Upper east side (a very rich, expensive area) to somewhere else in manhattan (most likely very rich and expensive as well). I doubt she would've allowed him to go from South bronx or flatbush ave by himself.
Re: Worst Mother in America
Also, this kid didn't travel very far, he wetn from the Upper east side (a very rich, expensive area) to somewhere else in manhattan (most likely very rich and expensive as well). I doubt she would've allowed him to go from South bronx or flatbush ave by himself.
I thought this as well.
Re: Worst Mother in America
lol I had to write an essay on this scenario :/ worth % of my marks...argh. Anyways, I don't think she's the worst mother...every kid is different...and the mother knows her child best...if she felt that he could handle the reponsiility....then she's only giving her son with the resources to be independant..and providing him with the same information as adults. The fact that children are too innocent and can't handle the reponsibility is just a social construction...cause they can take on such tasks..it's just that we expect them not to..and they are merely fulfilling our expectations...
Re: Worst Mother in America
I dont think there’s anything wrong with it, many 9 year olds are very sensible, and anyhow kids cannot always be protected and sheltered they need to to go out in2 the real world and be independant, the kid wasn’t even travelling very far 
Re: Worst Mother in America
this post have made me very worried!!
I must be singapore's worst mother
my 7 yrs old son takes the bus from his dadi's place to school all alone somedays when my husband work shifts.
????
It's abt 15 minutes journey.
Re: Worst Mother in America
this post have made me very worried!!
I must be singapore's worst mother
my 7 yrs old son takes the bus from his dadi's place to school all alone somedays when my husband work shifts.
????
It's abt 15 minutes journey.
Why don't you drop him off?
Re: Worst Mother in America
^ cuz i'm at work and he starts sch at 12.30pm
Re: Worst Mother in America
^ cuz i'm at work and he starts sch at 12.30pm
If you have other family members or friends you trust who are free around that time then get them to drop him off. Kid his age shouldn't be travelling on his own.
Re: Worst Mother in America
I think it is good to let children try to be responsible and let them do things their own way. It makes the child a more confident person in life. However I don't know if I would let a 9 year child travel alone in a big metropolis.