However, there has been a significant cultural <\/a>shift, where the family has become increasingly centered around children<\/a>, and parents are more concerned than ever about their kids\u2019 safety. Even though the overall crime rate in America is much less than it was forty<\/u><\/a> years ago. The effects of these changes are apparent in a shocking new Harris Poll <\/u><\/a>about eight to twelve-year-old American children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 45% have not walked in a different aisle than their parents at a store<\/p>\n\n\n\n 56% have not talked with a neighbor without their parents<\/p>\n\n\n\n 61% have not made plans with friends without adults helping them<\/p>\n\n\n\n 62% have not walked\/biked somewhere (a store, park, school) without an adult<\/p>\n\n\n\n 63% have not built a structure outside (for example, a fort or treehouse)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 67% have not done work that they\u2019ve been paid for (e.g., mowing lawns, shoveling snow, babysitting)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 71% have not used a sharp knife<\/p>\n\n\n\n The poll results are alarming because children raised without freedom and real-life experiences are likely to have a tough life as adults. Sheltered children become adults<\/u><\/a> who have a hard time making decisions, connecting with other people, and overcoming challenges. Sheltered children also grow up lacking individuality and confidence. It seems that the intense need to protect children winds up making them terrified as adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jonathan Haidt<\/a>, social psychologist and author of The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness,<\/em> says one way to raise confident, independent children is to give them jobs outside of the house. \u201cPractice letting your kids out of your sight without them having a way to reach you. While you cook dinner for your friends, send your kids out with theirs to the grocery store to pick up more garlic\u2014even if you don\u2019t need it,\u201d he told NPR.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Haidt believes that when children are seen walking to the store to get milk, it transforms them, as well as the community. \u201cThe brilliant part of this challenge is that it changes the norms. Before you know it, it\u2019s normal to see an eight-year-old carrying a quart of milk. It\u2019s normal to see a nine-year-old on a bicycle\u2014that\u2019s how you change the norms,\u201d Haidt continues.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"sad](\"https:\/\/www.upworthy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/origin-19.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow sheltered are 8 to 12-year-olds?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The problem with raising sheltered kids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"dorm](\"https:\/\/www.upworthy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/origin-20.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow to raise children who aren\u2019t sheltered<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"kid](\"https:\/\/www.upworthy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/origin-21.png\")
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