Free-Range Kids or the full title, Free-Range Kids: Giving Our Children the Freedom We Had Without Going Nuts with Worry is a 2009 parenting book by American journalistLenore Skenazy.[1][2] The book criticizes overprotective parenting practices and instead advocates for allowing children to have greater independence.[3][4] Skenazy asserts that this greater freedom builds confidence, responsibility and resilience.[5][6] It is widely credited with popularizing the concept and term free-range parenting, a concept which inspired further debate, social movements, and legislation protecting the practice in some U.S. states.[7][8]
In 2008, Skenazy's parenting style became viral after writing about letting her nine-year-old son ride the New York City Subway alone.[9] The positive and negative public response prompted her to write Free-Range Kids which she published in 2009.[10]
Synopsis
In the book, Skenazy argues that parents have become overly fearful as a result of outsized coverage of child abduction, neighbors poisoning children's Halloween candy, and other crimes against children. She asserts that these sorts of crimes are exceedingly rare and not something one should base their parenting style on.[11]
Instead, she argues that parents should allow their children to engage in unsupervised play and independence common in past generations. Specifically, she contends that activities that were once considered normal such as walking to school, running errands, and playing outside are now seen as dangerous, even if they could also be beneficial for a child's development.[12][13] Drawing on psychological and social research, Skenazy asserts that excessive protection can stifle growth, increase anxiety and prevent children from developing self-reliance.[3][4]
Following the release of the book, she founded Let Grow, a nonprofit which advances the principles of free-range parenting and child independence.[14]
Reception
The reviews of the book were generally positive. Metro West News Daily's review stated, "Skenazy's antidotes and anecdotes are well worth a read."[15] Another review in Orange Coast stated, "My daughter was just forming sentences as I devoured the anecdotes in Skenazy's book about parents who hover over their children."[2]
The book inspired the concept of free-range parenting which became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring many to follow Skenazy's lead. In 2015, a Maryland family faced an investigation after allowing their children to walk home alone from a park, prompting national debate about parental rights and state intervention.[16][17] Skenazy publicly defended the parents and denounced Maryland's actions.[18]
In 2018, Utah passed the first "free-range parenting" law in the United States.[19][20] The law explicitly permits children to play or walk to school without adult supervision.[21] Skenazy's book was cited as an influence for the legislation, and she called the law a "common sense" measure.[22][23]
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