Keeping the Free‐Range Parent Immune from Child Neglect: You Cannot Tell Me How to Raise My Children

Abstract

Granting children a level of independence to travel unsupervised to local neighborhood areas lies within the parents’ discretion to raise their children as they see fit. Failing to recognize that such discretion is grounded within the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, states criminalize parental actions, including unsupervised travel to local areas, as child neglect. Criminalizing such parental actions leads to both unjustified prosecutions and convictions of child neglect, along with unjustified removals by Child Protective Services (CPS) and the unnecessary and detrimental overprotection of children. The overprotection of children referred to as “helicopter parenting,” does not render the safety, physical, or emotional benefits most parents, police officers, and CPS reason. Further, criminalizing such parental actions distracts CPS from focusing on the real cases of child neglect. Creating a model free‐range parenting statute that provides full immunity from criminal charges of child neglect can effectively facilitate parental rights that are already implemented. However, the model statute must be limited as to the parental actions protected in order to preserve safety. This Note proposes a recognition of the protection needed among free‐range parents and urges the creation of a model statute based on the language of The Rule of Construction Regarding Travel to and from School, permitting children of any age to travel to and from school unsupervised, while negating a charge of child neglect, and the language of the Maryland directive policy regarding unsupervised travel and play.

A Comparison of Parenting Strategies in a Digital Environment: A Systematic Literature Review

“…However, their methods have been increasingly challenged in recent decades as modern parents often exhibit a sense of apprehension, fearing the potential dangers associated with granting such independence to their children [28]. As a result, 'free-range parenting' is now often perceived by many people as a form of child neglect [29]. Additionally, some studies have been conducted to explore the association of demographic factors with the practice of 'free-range parenting'.…”

Parental attitudes and parenting styles in paediatric dentistry: A review of the current literature

“…The free-range children will be self-sufficient and in a position to deal with unanticipated difficulties in life and can navigate themselves without parental handholding. [32][33][34] 5. Attachment parents: They are relaxed but set limits in line with their needs and character.…”