> A twelve-year-old should be able to pick up some groceries, mail a letter, grab a bite to eat at a lunch counter, and so on, but these basic acts of socialization are completely alien to suburban kids.

Compare Japan via this adorable TV show about childrens' first errants. They are as young as 2 or 3 years:

https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2015/09/why-are-littl...

(Germany, Singapore are also on the saner side. But I don't know of any cute TV shows.)