Independence seems to have been a recurring theme over the past few days- seems like a good topic to air my views on!
Time warp to thirty or forty years ago (so, in my case, my parents childhood). Kids of all ages were allowed to play freely pretty much wherever they wanted, and even young children had a great deal of independence.
Back to now, and the general level of independence has dropped by a lot. People say it's because things are less safe. Really? Or is it just that communication of unsafe events has increased, through improvement of TV, radio etc.?
Also, surely things are safer now that more people have mobile phones, and are more aware of potential dangers?
My scenario earlier this week? I was out with a group of my friends in the centre of Bristol, having a picnic. We're all in our mid-teens, and it was a busy, sunny day.
At about 4pm, people started to leave, though a group of four of us who were staying later remained in the park. Eventually, my friend (I'll call her Q) said that her mum was 'nearly there', and so we went to where she was meant to be getting picked up, on one of the busiest roads in Bristol.
Me and my other two friends had longer before we needed to leave, so we agreed to go and wait with her, and then go around town, stopping first at the toilets- which we all needed- and then to take a drink, as it was extremely hot.
Quarter of an hour later, Q's mum still hadn't picked her up, and the rest of us were getting slightly desperate for the toilet and a drink. When we asked Q if we needed to wait much longer, she checked her phone and said that her mum was definitely nearly there.
However, another quarter of an hour on she still hadn't been picked up. By this point, we all really needed the loo/drink. Q rang her mum, and was told that she was five minutes away. After a short discussion, my friends and I decided that we had to go, and left Q to wait- it was around 4:45, and she was by a busy road in a safe area. We then text her to check she'd got home safely.
In the circumstances, we thought we'd done the best we could- after all, anyone who's tried ignoring thirst and a full bladder knows how hard both are. It was a surprise, therefore, when we later had an argument with both Q and a member of her family- apparently we had 'abandoned' her.
Abandoned? We'd waited for at least half an hour, and left with no other choice!
Which is where my point links back in- independence. If you can't wait five minutes in a safe, public area in your mid-teens, will you ever accomplish such a 'feat'? And what would people in agreement with Q's side think when I admit that I walk through various dodgy areas on a regular basis- shock horror, BY MYSELF!?!?
Independence. At this rate we'll lose it forever.