Are American children less independent than European children?

I'd say the difference has a lot do do with transport as some have alluded to here. read more

The children feel frustrated at having this wonderful freedom given, then taken away! In the end, it’s better for young people to be given more freedom than to not have any. It would be far better for children to be able to use safe public transport that to be dependent on their parents or other adults. read more

Americans are less likely to live in apartments and generally have bigger homes and yards than Europeans do. That means American children typically play in backyards and parents enjoy quiet and a bit of nature on their own properties. read more

Why it's better: American school children score in the middle of the heap on international measures of achievement, especially in science and mathematics. Finnish children, with their truncated time in school, frequently rank among the best in the world. read more