I suspect that hit TV shows like "America's Most Wanted" did a great deal of damage to the American psyche. The 1990s seemed to be when parental attitudes started to take a turn. When I grew up before then, kids were generally allowed to roam wherever they wanted unsupervised, as long as they were home in time for dinner.
There are probably other factors too. I wonder if there was a kind of overcompensation from "latchkey kids" when they became parents.
There are probably other factors too. I wonder if there was a kind of overcompensation from "latchkey kids" when they became parents.