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Is it responsible for a parent to let a 12-year-old child ride the NYC subway alone?
Is it responsible for a parent to let a 12-year-old child ride the NYC subway alone?
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Results so far:
| Yes | 33% | 145 votes | Total: 433 votes | |
| No | 67% | 288 votes |
Yes
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Add to FavoritesWe live in a dangerous world. Our children are growing up in a dangerous society. Some day, they will be on their own in this society. Unfortunately, by the time are children are ready to tackle the world on their own, it will have gotten worse, not better.
While I can't bear the thought of allowing my child to ride the subway alone, it isn't irresponsible. If the child's parents have equipped the child with the knowledge he needs to know when to run, how to find help and how to avoid obvious trouble, then there is nothing wrong with this child's independence. Sheltering our children and protecting them from the evils in the world isn't going to make the world a better place. It isn't going to keep our children any more safe either.
The fact is, the same violence and victimization a child can befall on the subway, can easily be wrought upon that child at school or in the mall. We live in a violent world. Our children have to survive in this world. Certainly a child of 12 will know how to handle himself later in life from the simple learning experiences he had as a child. Including ride the subway alone. We send our children to schools with metal detectors and bars on the windows. The environment is less than ideal, but we don't have much choice. Just as our children will have no choice as they grow, but to live their life despite the dangers of the world. If they are prepared to face those dangers, they will fare better.
If we force our children to depend on us indefinitely because we fear for them, we do them a great injustice. We raise children who are afraid because they have not been exposed to the dangers of our society. We raise naive children who cannot immediately recognize a dangerous situation when they see one. We send our children into society ill prepared for what awaits them. Our children will have to survive in this world, and we should be doing everything possible to prepare them for that.
In NYC, the subway system is almost vital to everyone living there. At 12 years old, a child who can navigate the subway system easily, knows where each line will take him, and knows what platforms to avoid at certain time of the day, will be safer than some adults who travel the same system clueless everyday. Giving a 12 year old child independence, as long as it is supplemented with safety practices and parents who will know if their child is two hours late, is never irresponsible. It prepares the child for the world, and that is our job as parents. Isn't it?
Learn more about this author, Belinda Long.
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No
No, that's my final answer. I know we have to show our children responsibility, but I'd rather steer clear of the solo traveling, because I hate enclosed places, and a jail cell is not exactly the cure. Children that young need their parents around them when they go places that are not within sight. We live in a world today that is just plain crazy sometimes.
You see it on television everyday our children getting kidnapped. This debate may be emotional for some, because a lot of people have different opinions on the subject. Personally, I would say no, because I don't like putting myself in that position of worrying my socks off that my child is 12 years old, and not even a teenager yet. He is running out there with grown adults and strangers that are bound to do anything. New York is a huge city, and letting kids run around alone should not be allowed. We are not doing this to be overprotective. We are doing this so our children won't end up another statistic, and their missing fliers posted all over town like we see everyday.
It is a hard truth, but people wonder why children are missing so much, and it is a sad thing. I believe there are times, where parents can be overprotective, but that should not apply to a child that has not even hit high school yet. I know a 12 year old who is mature and smart, but it does not matter if you have a predator out there who sees a small child walking by himself with no parent. What will stop him not taking the child.
There are so many people walking the streets of New York that if the child cries, everyone will just go about their business. When we say yes to this debate, which I respect everyone's decision. We are just letting everyone know that tomorrow we will let our children walk out that door alone. They are walking the streets alone with people they don't know. They are riding in subway all alone full of people staring at them, because they are so young. I guess some people are more riskier than me, but I just would not tempt it with my child. You have to ask yourself: What happens if the child gets hurt?, or, If the child gets lost? Who are they going to put it on? I think the parents are going to get the big lecture. I know nobody is perfect, but we sure can try to prevent something going wrong.
We should be spending time with our kids that age everywhere they go. So next time, before you say goodbye to your child, think about the consequences that may happen, and it does not matter if your child is the smartest person in the world. We all know accidents happen, we just need to be more responsible to try to prevent them.
Learn more about this author, Joseph Sturgill Jr..
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