Public perception causes parents to become more restrictive. Gone are the days when a mother put her children outside and told them to go play until lunch. My neighborhood had most mothers home raising their children and looking out for one another. Now they need play dates and times are arranged for those. Yes, there were instances of child abduction back then, but they pale in comparison to the horror stories we have now. Just take a look around, life is not the same as the 50s, 60s, or the 70s. Times have changed, children’s play habits have changed as well.
There is a common perception that children are at greater risk than 25 or 50 years ago.
What I have never seen is any evidence that this is actually true, that the rate of child molestation or abduction has actually increased, as opposed to the media coverage of it.
With quite rare exceptions, in the past abduction was local or possibly state news. Today each is reported nationwide, leading to the perception it happens more often. That perception may or may not be accurate.