Disappointing that an article like this wouldn’t mention one of the main reasons children are given less autonomy in the US: our built environment. The vast majority of our children grow up in neighborhoods in which one can’t easily be a pedestrian at any age. Low density communities, in which almost all trips have to be taken in cars, are of course not friendly to non-drivers.
Japan builds dense, mixed use neighborhoods. As a result, children are empowered to walk to the store or a friend’s house.
Japan builds dense, mixed use neighborhoods. As a result, children are empowered to walk to the store or a friend’s house.