The US perspective matters only in the US. That is my point.
I'm also sure protecting children from the harmful actions of their parents has nothing to do with killing people.
Children should have someone on their side if things go wrong, and they can't hire someone. That is where child protection laws come in. See also Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
I think it's fair to argue that any country that has fewer restrictions on what you can do is more free than another. And any country that has more restrictions is less free.
If you prefer restrictions that are justified to protect for yourself and others, it doesn't mean you free (or the kids living there), it just means you willing to accept control from others.
Maybe you live in a totalitarian government yourself? And have gotten used to being "protected" by the government this way?
edit: clarification.
I live in the US. And even though I don't agree with all the laws here, I respect them because that is what this society agreed too. Even though it makes this country, again according to your definition, a lot less free than Germany on plenty of issues. Except the right to homeschool.
Btw, I do prefer restrictions that are justified to protect myself and others. Like stop lights, or the right of way, or the fact that the people treating me at the hospital have to pass a medical exam to do that. By the law that is enforced by the government.
You can change that law in Germany if you want. You just have to convince enough people that your way is better. Good luck doing that. I won't support it, and I don't have to. That's the kind of freedom I like.
It's less free for the children, who are human and have their own rights, and deserve to have those rights enforced.