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!