How do school-age kids get together in this country? I mean, you can't get anywhere without a car!?

I was raised in another country, where people mostly live in cities which are very compact. Plus we did not have any laws prohibiting to leave kids alone. So starting age 7-8 kids could walk anywhere they wanted with their friends, or take a bus, or ride a bike. Parents had practically no control over that.

How on earth kids get together in this country? In big cities it must be the about same, but what about suburban areas where you can't get anywhere without a car? How do kids manage to survive until they get a driver's license? A friend of mine said she had to drive her 14-year-old son for a movie date with a school girlfriend. Is it typical? Or is there some way for kids to meet without their parents being involved?

In America, it common practice for parents to pick kids up and drop them off somewhere. Go to any mall or movie theater in America on a Friday night, there are moms in mini-vans lined up letting kids out in dozens. There really is no way for younger kids to get around without an older adult. Some younger ones might get rides from older brothers or sisters.

Also, in cities it sort of rare for younger ones to be roaming too free. Cities can be dangerous places for those that do not have the resources or knowledge to protect themselves.

Public Transportation in America is somewhat unsafe for the younger set and even for some adults.

Children usually have other children in their neighborhood or within walking distance. If as children get in their early teens and want to date, the parent usually drives them.
Of course its normal. I'm 14 and my friends and I all ride bikes around the place, or walk. We live in a suburb in middle New Jersey, and yes parents DO drive their children on dates, but there not dates like older adults. A date is considered going to a movie or out to Applebee's, big woop. Join a sport after school, or some club, and make friends in any place you can. I suggest ice-skating, that is really big in my area, especially on friday nights. Just chill, and in two or three years you or your friends can drive wherever and whenever.
yup thats typical. parents r always involved with going to the movies,hanging out with friends,etc..they're involved cause there r a bunch of weirdos out there attacking kids/teens.

i wouldnt let my child leave the house if they didnt tell me where they were going,who they're going w/,etc..

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