Is it responsible for a parent to let a 12-year-old child ride the NYC subway alone?

by Brett D. Battle

Created on: July 19, 2009   Last Updated: July 22, 2009

No, it is not responsible for a parent to let a 12-year-old child ride the NYC subway alone! The question is questioning a parent's responsibility. Again, I repeat, it is not responsible for a parent to let a 12-year-old child ride the NYC subway alone. For any person who parents a minor, you have responsibilities. One responsibility of a parent is keeping your child safe within your means. What is safe about letting a 12-year-old child ride the NYC subway alone? Nothing! Of course, no parent can save their child from everything in the world, but a responsible parent saves their child from what they can. Furthermore, why take the risk, why take the chance unless you absolutely have to! Even as an adult it's not always safe to ride the NYC subway alone, so think about how safe it is for a child.

Not letting your child ride a subway alone isn't holding them back from the world or stopping them from growing up, it simply means your being a responsible parent. It's good to allow your child to experience things in life, such as finally letting them go to their first party, not letting them ride the subway alone. Let's be honest here. no 12-year- old is an adult. Your child may be mature, smart and responsible, but are they ready? Are they ready for what might happen, what they might see, etc. This sounds like no big deal and almost nothing to worry about, but think again. No matter where your child is alone, you don't want them to see what may be inappropriate. Although seeing new things can be a learning experience for a child, it can also be damaging.

Speaking of ready, is your child ready emotionally? Sounds like no big deal right? Think again! Subways often become overwhelming with crowds of people, especially in New York. Will your child be able to handle the reckless traffic NYC subways produce? Your child might be alright getting on the subway and taking a seat, but will fear come over your child upon departure because they are alone? What might happen if their parent is running late?

The biggest and most important fact to think about is the fact that this is NYC. A city filled with a high crime rate, high traffic rate, etc. Why throw a 12-year-old child in the middle of this by themselves?

For the people who think, yes it is responsible to let a 12-year-old child ride the NYC subway alone, I bet you will answer no to the question, is it responsible to let a 12-year-old child have sex! Sounds extreme, but it isn't. Don't think too far into that statement. What I mean is children shouldn't do adult things. Riding a subway alone isn't necessarily an adult thing, but no child should have to commute anywhere alone.

I understand parents raise their children different from others. If your answer is yes to this question, that doesn't make you a bad parent or anything of the sort. Some parents are laid back and believe in letting their child experience numerous things. No matter what the case is, if your answer is yes and you would let your 12-year-old child ride on the subway alone, your not being a responsible parent! If you answered yes and simply thought hey it's no big deal, maybe you lack knowledge of the NYC subway. Crimes from robbery to murder have taken place on the NYC subway.

As a parent, you have a responsibility to protect your child within your means, be responsible!

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