Freedom...to play?

It's no surprise that today's kids are living in a different world, and thinking in the context of a new worldview, than kids 15-20 years ago. I found an article in K! Magazine (Sept/Oct 08) that highlighted both Ivy Beckwith's book Postmodern Children's Ministry and Lenore Skenazy's blog freerangekids.wordpress.com. The article briefly discusses how different kids are raised today, and how they don't enjoy the freedom that kids did in the past because parents are so afraid of what "may" happen. Kids often aren't allowed to play in the neighborhood or go to the park without supervision. Skenazy's blog encourages the idea that kids are not in as much danger as parents may think. Her artcles discuss everything from Halloween candy to walking to school. She emphasizes that safety is important, but obsessive worrying is teaching kids that they are not capable of completing tasks that other kids did all the time in the past (like even walking home from the bus stop). Check out the interesting articles and viewpoints on her blog. Will it provide a little extra freedom, or leave room for a dangerous situation?