Charlie Brown once said, "Adversity makes us mature." When we take time to check out the young folks walking the streets nowadays, I think Charlie may be on to something...
I suppose it depends a lot on where you live. But it is often surprising when you talk to young people. Some have a great deal of insight for their years and others do not. I feel sorry for the nanny state type of situation that many find themselves in.
I grew up on acreage with cows, horses and various other farm animals. When I purchased my first used 10 speed bicycle my range increased dramatically. When I was 13 I told my dad that I was going to ride up to Mt. Rainier which was 60 miles away. He told me to have fun. Everything went wrong but I made it. I got lost trying to take a short cut.
On the way back I ran out of food and money to buy more. I was bitten by a junk yard dog. I didn't make it back until around 11:30. Of course there were no cell phones and I had spent my last dime on food. My dad just asked me if I had fun. I was exhausted but told him that I had.