I think about how I grew up. I am not sure I even saw my mom in the morning, and was outside all day. I may not have seen her until supper time.
With my kids, I watch fairly closely, but they do not have a similar experience. If I let them be like that someone would definitely report me to social services. I think that is probably the biggest fear and problem with today's parenting.
When I was young we lived way out in the sticks and there was one neighbor boy about my age. When I was in about the 3rd grade we moved to the tiny town (about 300 people) where my grandparents and great grandparents lived.
I had a pretty good childhood even with the divorce of my parents.