[madison10]

Those were Boomers, but they were not the Latch key kids. That was a later group to which the article is referring.

Boomers did all that play outdoors and went home to a mom, and usually dad, in the house. We were very independent on one hand, but someone was there if we needed them at home.

[ansel12]

A lot of boomers did not go home to a mom and dad.

The difference is that some kids walked outside, and some kids microwaved some junk food and then sat on the couch with a TV remote.

[Steven Scharf]

A latchkey kid, or latchkey child, is a child who returns to an empty home after school (or other activities) or a child who is often left at home with no supervision because their parents are away at work. Such a child can be any age, alone or with siblings who are also under the age of maturity for their community.

I was a latch key kid without a latch key as we never locked our door unless we went on vacation. The lock was a circa 1940 padlock that had been left to us by the previous owner. Key was left somewhere in the garage.

It was not lonely for me as I had three brothers and friends in the neighborhood.

Did not know there was a phenomenon of this till later when my home town of Yarmouth Maine created a Latchstring Award after I had moved away.

Latchstring Award
Since 1980, the Town Council has annually recognized citizens of the Town of Yarmouth who have contributed their time, efforts and concern for an extended and exemplary period for the benefit of the citizens of Yarmouth.

The Latchstring Award with its name derived from the town motto “Our Latchstring Always Out”, is intended as an acknowledgment of those citizens whose examples of citizenship and leadership keep Yarmouth a warm and welcoming community of caring individuals.

[MayflowerMadam]

“That was a later group to which the article is referring.”

To me, the title is confusing. Is it the Boomers themselves who are the latch-key kids, or are the Boomers the parents of the latch-key kids?

[Bigg Red]

Exactly.

And the neighbors knew who you were. So if you did something you shouldn’t your parents would hear about it.

[Myrddin]

I'm a 1956 vintage boomer. Dad was a Naval officer. He was at sea for half of my life between birth and age 13. XO of multiple ships. When serving in the Pentagon as a PMO and XO of 32nd St Naval Station, he had "normal" work hours. Mom was at home except for a few trips to Hawaii to see dad when the ship was in port for a couple weeks. Finishing homework before going out to "play" was a requirement. Dad was away for much of the time that I knocked requirements for Eagle Scout. Mom provided transportation to Balboa Park Scout camp for some merit badges. Others were accomplished by riding my bicycle to the counselors house. In extreme cases, over 30 miles from my house. When things like the furnace failed and the spring on the double wide garage door broke, I fixed them by riding my bike 15 miles to a hardware store for a new gas valve for the furnace and Sears for a replacement spring. My sister helped install the spring. Mom was in Hawaii for both of those events. Dad was at sea.

I didn't allow my sons to be "latchkey" kids in the 80s. My wife stayed home. My income was sufficient. By 1994, my sons were well established and my wife hired on as a dispatcher for the San Diego Sheriff's Office. It did have a consequence to have her work. Getting Sunday shifts meant she was at work and my sons decided that mutiny was an appropriate response to getting dressed for church. The oldest hitched a ride to church with his friends. The two youngest remained home with me.