I walked to school for twelve years. (Finally got there. ) But I wouldn't allow it if I were responsible for any children now. Too many pedophiles in the culture.
... what, exactly, is the risk of pedophiles these days when walking to school?
What does that have to do with walking to and from school?
Where I live, children within a certain distance (about 2 miles) walk to school. So far there has not been a problem with “pedophiles”.
Not sure where you live but if children walk in groups that’s different. A child (these days) walking alone isn’t considered safe from potential harm or abduction. Sad but true.
Valerie wrote: ↑Fri Dec 05, 2025 1:55 am
Not sure where you live but if children walk in groups that’s different. A child (these days) walking alone isn’t considered safe from potential harm or abduction. Sad but true.
Even when there’s a small group walking together there’s been kidnappings in the news. Evil finds a way. It’s a good idea to keep our children close and protected. My wife and her friend would stand with the children at the bus stop. Other parents took turns. It’s common sense to us.
1 x
Free Will Baptist <-> Anabaptist
”Try hard not to offend. Try harder not to be offended.” Robert Martz
Valerie wrote: ↑Fri Dec 05, 2025 1:55 am
Not sure where you live but if children walk in groups that’s different. A child (these days) walking alone isn’t considered safe from potential harm or abduction. Sad but true.
Even when there’s a small group walking together there’s been kidnappings in the news. Evil finds a way. It’s a good idea to keep our children close and protected. My wife and her friend would stand with the children at the bus stop. Other parents took turns. It’s common sense to us.
Could you point to any news stories of recent kidnappings of children walking in a group?
Valerie wrote: ↑Fri Dec 05, 2025 1:55 am
Not sure where you live but if children walk in groups that’s different. A child (these days) walking alone isn’t considered safe from potential harm or abduction. Sad but true.
I live not too far from Amish country - the same as you. I regularly see Amish children going places and abductions of Amish children are quite rare. There was a news article recently posted here about one - but it was an attempt to abduct from their own home, and their parents were there. Not exactly the same thing.
Somehow, Amish children walk to and from school every single day (and then often to other places) and are not harmed, nor are they abducted.
Valerie wrote: ↑Fri Dec 05, 2025 1:55 am
Not sure where you live but if children walk in groups that’s different. A child (these days) walking alone isn’t considered safe from potential harm or abduction. Sad but true.
Even when there’s a small group walking together there’s been kidnappings in the news. Evil finds a way. It’s a good idea to keep our children close and protected. My wife and her friend would stand with the children at the bus stop. Other parents took turns. It’s common sense to us.
Could you point to any news stories of recent kidnappings of children walking in a group?
Wife: I honestly think walking as a group is a lot different than walking alone, although it also depends on the area. There are definitely parts of this town that I wouldn’t want children walking even as a group.
I know that I had some creeps trying to get me to get into their car once when I was walking home from school alone in a small rural town, and I ended up going to my youth pastor’s house, which was on the same block I was currently on and saying that’s where I was going. They weren’t there, but thankfully the guys had driven off before I figured that out.
I think that people should educate their children on staying safe, and walking in a group is always better. Also road safety comes into play, but I’m not against children walking to school for the most part
And what I’m saying is that Amish children walk everywhere and somehow are not getting abducted, despite all the people bleating how unsafe it is to ever let your children out of your sight. They also walk on roads. Without sidewalks. That are 55 MPH.
Of course, that’s not to say they aren’t ever abused - but it’s usually a relative, not some stranger abducted them.
The present day paranoia about children being abducted is ridiculous and is not healthy for children either.
JohnH wrote: ↑Fri Dec 05, 2025 12:28 pm
And what I’m saying is that Amish children walk everywhere and somehow are not getting abducted, despite all the people bleating how unsafe it is to ever let your children out of your sight. They also walk on roads. Without sidewalks. That are 55 MPH.
Of course, that’s not to say they aren’t ever abused - but it’s usually a relative, not some stranger abducted them.
The present day paranoia about children being abducted is ridiculous and is not healthy for children either.
Regarding the Amish children, maybe "Amish country" is safer... haven't seen crime stats. But go ahead JohnH and let your kids walk along the interstate or 55 MPH roads. I have had some very close calls w aforementioned people when I am in Wayne and Holmes. When you are not from Amish country, encountering buggies w no lights is scary for me esp when I am driving a loaded CMV. So, no, I don't think it is wise to be out walking along highways but I am also a papa who holds my children's hands after meeting cuz I don't want them out loitering in the parking lot...and God only knows what is going on.
JohnH wrote: ↑Fri Dec 05, 2025 12:28 pm
And what I’m saying is that Amish children walk everywhere and somehow are not getting abducted, despite all the people bleating how unsafe it is to ever let your children out of your sight. They also walk on roads. Without sidewalks. That are 55 MPH.
Of course, that’s not to say they aren’t ever abused - but it’s usually a relative, not some stranger abducted them.
The present day paranoia about children being abducted is ridiculous and is not healthy for children either.
Regarding the Amish children, maybe "Amish country" is safer... haven't seen crime stats. But go ahead JohnH and let your kids walk along the interstate or 55 MPH roads. I have had some very close calls w aforementioned people when I am in Wayne and Holmes. When you are not from Amish country, encountering buggies w no lights is scary for me esp when I am driving a loaded CMV. So, no, I don't think it is wise to be out walking along highways but I am also a papa who holds my children's hands after meeting cuz I don't want them out loitering in the parking lot...and God only knows what is going on.
Can you point to general worse health, worse deaths, more abductions etc occurring amongst Amish children compared to the general population?
If you are driving a loaded CMV I would note it’s your responsibility. It to hit buggies, not the other way around.
JohnH wrote: ↑Fri Dec 05, 2025 12:28 pm
And what I’m saying is that Amish children walk everywhere and somehow are not getting abducted, despite all the people bleating how unsafe it is to ever let your children out of your sight. They also walk on roads. Without sidewalks. That are 55 MPH.
Of course, that’s not to say they aren’t ever abused - but it’s usually a relative, not some stranger abducted them.
The present day paranoia about children being abducted is ridiculous and is not healthy for children either.
Regarding the Amish children, maybe "Amish country" is safer... haven't seen crime stats. But go ahead JohnH and let your kids walk along the interstate or 55 MPH roads. I have had some very close calls w aforementioned people when I am in Wayne and Holmes. When you are not from Amish country, encountering buggies w no lights is scary for me esp when I am driving a loaded CMV. So, no, I don't think it is wise to be out walking along highways but I am also a papa who holds my children's hands after meeting cuz I don't want them out loitering in the parking lot...and God only knows what is going on.
Can you point to general worse health, worse deaths, more abductions etc occurring amongst Amish children compared to the general population?
If you are driving a loaded CMV I would note it’s your responsibility. It to hit buggies, not the other way around.
) But I wouldn't allow it if I were responsible for any children now. Too many pedophiles in the culture.