Here's an article on free-ranging kids, though the author doesn't call it that

[conuly]

It's unusual in that the comments are worth reading.

One that stands out starts thusly:

Teaching in a comm. college, I find that younger students are typically unable to describe the neighborhood they grew up in. Some say they still don't know their own neighborhoods beyond the back yard. Older adults have strong sensory memories of their childhood neighborhoods, and usually enjoy recounting those places, people, and games.

That? That is terrifying.

The kids on this block aren't growing up like that, most of them, which is a great relief to me. Annoying as the local kids are at times, I'd rather see them outside playing than stuck inside all day.

Comments

[jedirita.livejournal.com]

I haven't read the article yet - but in a similar vein, I was with my sis at the family reunion, and she was saying how she and her hubby want to move to a suburb of Seattle, because where they live right now doens't really have much of a backyard. And yet, they live within easy walking distance of a terrific, huge city park right along the waterfront.

I confess myself flabbergasted. I'm such a city girl, and I really kinda hate suburbia. I guess my feeling is, kids don't honor borders anyway. They'll find a place to explore, even if it isn't a fenced backyard. Maybe ESPECIALLY if it's not a fenced backyard.

Where I live right now, we don't have a fenced backyard - and that is an issue when the padawan is still 2 1/2 yo. But when he's older? I think it would be great. LOTS of room to explore, and a number of quasi-wilderness areas nearby.