That was then. This is now.
Very true, when I think of where I went all alone when I was a kid - I remembering riding my bike 3-4 miles from my house to a friends on fairly busy roads at like 9-10 yrs old. I walked everywhere too - it's a different time now.
I wouldn't be happy letting my 14yr old do that now, and he'd have a cell phone with him! lol
I don't allow my kids to do it. Period. They are 13, 12 & 8. There is no way I would allow them to go on their own in Walmart much less walk "several blocks" alone. Not in this day & time. If that makes me an overprotective parent, then so be it. I could care less about the opinion of others when it comes to the safety of my children.