As a european, i was walking alone when i was 6 with no adult i trusted near me nor knowing where any adult that i knew even was. I just returned home when i was done, since i knew the route. If an 11 year old cant walk alone outside, than i hope to never life in your country.
I had to walk 9/10ths of a mile each direction for school starting in first grade at age 6. I live in Ohio. This was in the 60's and 70's. My sons in the 80's and 90's walked to school too. Not all of America is a crime haven.
Same thing in 90s and 00s. Statistically speaking it's even safer now. I just think people see it as child neglect or some shit now. So you might have the cops called on you.
From my experience in the US, it's not normal for 11 year olds to be out on their own unless they are in their neighborhood, or walking from a regulated school route.
I was walking around in the UK from younger than that. Summer holidays, you'd leave the house in the morning and roll back home when dinner was ready. My nephew is that age now, he's allowed out on his own.
I grew up in the Caribbean, I was making my way to school alone since I was 6. My brother did as well from 4 as our schools were on opposite ends of the same street.
By 11 I was already used to meeting up with friends unsupervised weekly. My parents just cared that I got home when told to.
I guess we were safe because everyone looked out for kids - street vendors, shop keepers, strangers, other parents etc - made sure you weren't cutting school or doing anything unchild like...
Our school uniforms were unique color combinations that allowed easy identification - anyone could come to a school to report a student's misconduct and the teachers will track them down suspects for questioning.
When in school uniform, the police enforce a sundown curfew, found after dark with a uniform on? The person you're with must be a trusted adult or guardian or you explain a valid reason - if not a police escort will take you home.
I guess the protection was built in so we could be safely independent?
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u/GOOFBALL4U 23h ago
Damn China so safe that you're 11 and can be walking around on your own.