I remember heading out to the woods to build forts with my friends. I was about 8 years old. My daughter is 9. I am terrified if she is out of sight for even a few minutes without adult supervision.
You think that the media has something to do with your fear?
It's my understanding that crimes like child kidnapping etc are no higher today then in the past. Just nationally reported these days.
My youth up till age 12 was spent in New Orleans. Used to roam the west bank river levee with my friends from Algiers to Belle Chase. We’d also ride our bikes to the ferry and hit the French Quarter for the day. A couple of eleven year olds on Bourbon street was quite an educational experience in the early 70’s.