Thanks to the “free-range kids” bill signed by Utah Governor Gary Herbert last week, parents in Utah don’t have to fear repercussions (or a visit from CPS) should they allow their kids to play at a park, bike to the store, or walk to school without their parent’s supervision. The controversial new law might be the first legislation of its kind in the U.S.
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“The law, which specifies it is not neglectful to let children wander independently, will take effect May 8. An age limit was purposely not defined, but the law says children left alone should display maturity and good judgment.” 1
While some may think this law is totally unnecessary, people like Lenore Skenazy, dubbed “world’s worst parent,” are likely elated. After letting her then 9-year-old son ride the subway alone, she wrote a column about it and received a ton of backlash. However, according to Skenazy, “allowing children their independence helps empower them to feel smart and capable.” 2
I might not have kids but even I know that makes perfect sense.
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State Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, who sponsored the bill, said, “It’s not neglect if you let your child experience childhood. The message is you need to protect your kids but we are not doing kids any favors if we shelter them to the point where they are not learning how to function.”3
And Rep. Brad Daw, R-Orem, the House sponsor of the bill, told The Salt Lake Tribune that the bill existed to “prevent in Utah a problem that has happened in too many other states … where parents have been prosecuted, gotten in trouble for doing nothing more than allowing a child to play outside or go to the park.” 4
What do you think about the idea of “free-range” parenting? Does it make you nervous? Would you report a neighbor for letting their kids play out in the front yard while you were in the house?
