>>>>>>Not that different from when I was a kid. We went off on our own (usually with a bunch of friends), but when mom called, we came home. I still say things are different today than in my idyllic youth.
>>>>>
>>>>>The question is why is it different now. Are analogous neighborhoods really that much more dangerous, or are parents just overprotective? I think it's much more the latter than the former.
>>>>>
>>>>>Tamar
>>>>
>>>>I disagree. Gang membership is way up over when I was a kid. The types of gangs are far more viscious. Hard drugs are far more available. Fights, when I was a kid were fists mostly, and the odd knife. Now they're knives and guns. With the advent of the internet, I honestly believe that kiddie porn is way up too. I don't doubt that stuff all existed when I was a kid, but I do believe it is a far, far more widespread problem now than it was then.
>>>
>>>But there were dangerous neighborhoods, some with gangs, when we were kids. Places we knew (or should have known) never to go.
>>>
>>>Compare comparable neighborhoods. I can do that because the place I live now is very much like the place I grew up (which is only 10 minutes away). This neighborhood is safe. There are no gangs. Yeah, there are drugs, I'm sure, but I know for sure there were drugs where I grew up, too. No one in either place is or was selling drugs on the street corners. In neither neighborhood are/were teens walking around with knives and guns.
>>>
>>>The kids in this neighborhood have much less personal freedom than in the neighborhood where I grew up. What's changed is the parents' perception of danger, not the actual dangers.
>>>
>>>I'm pleased to see that my sister, who lives within walking distance of me, is trying hard to give her kids appropriate personal freedom. Her 12-year-old walked to and from school the last couple of years, and can stop at a friend's house on the way home, as long as he calles. He rides his bike around the neighborhood with his buddies. The 10-year-old is allowed to walk to my house from hers and plays out on the sidewalk (and even in their quiet street) with his friends. That's how it should be.
>>>
>>>Tamar
>>>
>>>Tamar
>>
>>I would question the 'no gangs.' In most cities gang members live everyone - in just about every single neighborhood from the poorest to the richest. The gang activity may not be occurring in your neighborhood, but I would bet there is at least one gang member, if not several.
>
>
>Isn't gang a bit of a wide term. What do you mean by it. Is it a bunch of kids who hang out on street corners (in which case they are everywhere) or is it weapon carrying young criminals (which are not so widespread) I'll add IMO there

http://www.ncgangcops.org/faq.php?cat_id=1

The key issue is organized criminal activity.