Likelihood of free-range parenting in New York

Buffalo State College Child Psychology Professor, Pamela Schuetze has some concerns about the new Utah law about so-called free-range parenting. 

“It’s difficult when we start to I think legislate parenting. There are so many situations that we have to consider when we are making parenting decisions,” Schuetze said. 

Across the Country there have been instances when people would call police after seeing kids walking or playing in a park, alone. 

The law guarantees parents won’t get arrested or be investigated for the simple act of letting young kids walk to a park or to school alone. 

“There are some who are really ready to be on their own and probably could be on their own at a younger age and I think there are others who might panic if something unusual were to happen,” Schuetze said. 

A free-range parenting law could soon become reality in New York. State Assemblyman Phil Steck tells Time Magazine he’s currently working a similar bill. 

“I think what we’re seeing is some over correction where maybe parenting has gone too far where we are monitoring and supervising our children too much,” Schuetze said.