Only the strong survive? Not anymore....

You're right, and add this: I recall on many occasions I told my mom and dad I was going to go way over to another person's house halfway across town or on some remote road. I would walk right along, with pals or my brothers or sisters (I have two of each). Or spend the day building a "fort" far into the brush near a railroad track. Or riding a bike way out into the middle of noplace and back. I'd be gone for hours, all over creation ... That was the danger, because although I only recall once where a car pulled up, a door opened, and a young, suspicious-looking couple asked if "I needed a ride" somewhere. It was probably almost as dangerous then as now, only the culture didn't think about kids being grabbed and kidnapped like today.

i don't think it was either luck or strength. it just the way the world goes. parents do tend to be overprotective with their own children. so if you were raised in soft manner you will raise your children in the same way or, more likely, even move protective and making sure verything is soft and nice so they have a happy childhood. and that is because most people think that the wolrd has evolved enough so that kids today don't have to worry about anything.

Yes, I agree. How did we ever survive? Makes sense that the kids of today grow up with such a sense of entitlement. This is a link to a really good article which has been e-mailed to me a few times. I'd paste it here, because it illustrates your point beautifully, but I can't copy and paste yet. Not up to 500 posts yet. Anyhow, here it is, enjoy! http://www.squidoo.com/kids_born_in_1930_40_50/