True, we have no police either.

Lao Tzu sees a correlation. I'm 32, and my boundaries gradually increased from "the front yard, ask to go across the street" to "the street, ask to go around the block or park" etc. I lived in urban South Minneapolis, so not rough but not gentle... enough to build habitual awareness. We were a roving pack of 5+ kids at a given time, as many as 12 or so. I addicted myself to computer screens against my parents' wishes (they prefer TV), although if not for screens I'd probably do as my vice principal said and "flip [him] a good burger someday". There were ample police and one possible abduction attempt outside with my cousin while very young, sooo...

why am I getting all these downvotes? clearly, it's much safer for a teenager to ride the train in the Netherlands from one end to the other, than to do a similar thing in Chicago, let's say. So, yeah, it's not that impressive.

so why more downvotes? can someone explain to me the logic of what exactly you are disagreeing with?

Don't take it personally. You won't get many warm replies from American city dwellers for pointing out the failures of their communities.

I don't. I just get annoyed when people simply downvote instead of commenting when I point out a fact that in the Netherlands it's safer to let a 13 year old ride the train than where I live.

I think Americans are probably among the first to admit the issues with their communities, hence the increased trend in helicopter parenting.