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By what metric? This is a normal everyday thing in some countries. I was running to the corner store and grabbing milk, cheese or beer, among other groceries, when I was under 10. This was Spain in the 80s/90s and afaik is still a thing. Or walking clear across town to hang out with friends or go to school. In what way is teaching kids independence and giving them your trust not beneficial?

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I was leaving the house alone by 5 and 6. I'd go hours in the local forest, down by the lake, through the neighborhood, and to the city. My mom made sure I understood landmarks and what places that could help me looked like. Of all the trauma I experienced in my early life, none of it was from those activities. If anything they taught me a lot about getting along on my own.

It seems to have stopped being a thing in the US in the `90's, for whatever reason. I recall walking to and from school as a 1st grader, although everyone was doing it which made everyone inherently more likely to reach their destination.

If I was in charge, I would set the residential speed limits to 20mph and have the Police enforce those speed limits 24/7.

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