I grew up on the west coast at about the same time. Took the Pacific Electric car from Long Beach to Los Angeles many times alone with no worries. The P.E. made stops in Watts and other ‘bad’ neighborhoods. In many ways, a better time although I’m sure Eric Holder would disagree.
“You cannot do that today.”
Not in Newark or L.A. but you can in Japan. I saw 1st and 2nd graders riding the trains with no adults supervising to get to school in Tokyo.
This is true. I have seen kids as young as six going to school on trains and busses by themselves in RUSH HOUR in downtown Tokyo. I have seen a small girl about seven given a 1,000 yen bill ($8) to go out to the local store on foot several blocks away and get some milk for mama, who is too busy. Happily talking to strangers on the way. Its weird but it is true for Japan. It will likely not be that way forever but it still is generally speaking.
All over Asia, in fact. I've seen trains and subways packed with unescorted school kids in Seoul, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok and even many cities in China.
These nations, of course, do not tolerate the existence of a predator class because they feel racial guilt about enforcing their own laws.
One of my sons bands has played Japan several times. They all enjoyed their time there and can’t wait to go back.