[MEGoody]

"I cannot imagine a parent that would allow an 11 year old girl to run around unsupervised......"

In this day and age, you may be right. But an 11 year old girl should be able to walk to/from a friend's house in broad daylight. Nothing unusual for parents to allow that kind of thing.

[doodad]

Nothing unusual for parents to allow that kind of thing.

I agree in general, but in this case she was not allowed to walk home. She lied to the friend's parents about it and left when her father was running late.

[AbsoluteJustice]

"But an 11 year old girl should be able to walk to/from a friend's house in broad daylight."

your keyword in here is should, and you are correct. today though this is not possible. In Okinawa? Yes it is this way. When I did a pump to there in the Marines twice you would see children as young as 4 and 6 years old walking hand in hand at 6-7 AM to school and not a SOUL in sight. I thought WOW this is really something. A culture who can do this without fear of kidnappers, etc etc. It was quite amazing I must say.