[CaptainK]

At the age of 7, a half mile is a bit far to let a child wander.

[grania]

At the age of 7, a half mile is a bit far to let a child wnader

It depends on the neighborhood and the child. It's not uncommon for children to walk or ride bikes to playgrounds. Many have to walk further than that to school. Besides that, it's summer and it's likely there are a lot of watchful eyes and ears when the children are out playing.

Do you really think it's good that children can't go out and play without their parents being arrested?

[Cboldt]

As others pointed out, that's an "it depends" conclusion. Half a mile is within eyesight, barring obstructions. At that age, I was ranging probaby five miles from home on bicycle, and easily a mile and a half on foot. Small town (20,000), we weren't rural living but suburban.

I knew the way home, and generally got home by the time the meal was served.

The walk to school was over a mile each way.

[Fiji Hill]

From the age of five onward, I always walked to school, which was a quarter mile away. I thank God that I spent my youthful years before the trial lawyers and the busybodies from pressure groups and government ruined childhood.