I hear people often say that they could pick up hitch hikers 20 years ago, because it was safer then. Or they talk about how kids could play outside alone "back in the day" because it wasn't as dangerous.

So, do you believe that it actually used to be safer (say, 20-30 years ago)? Why do you think this?

I mean, I guess it was "safer" in terms of numbers, because more people were doing it. But that's as far as my estimation goes.

Statistically, it is safer now. People were just more in the dark then.

No. A lot of crimes went unreported back then, even child molestation.

eh, there just wasnt as much media coverage back then to tell about all the murders probably.

It seems more dangerous because of the internet, people can find out anything easily imo

I would say no we are just more aware if the dangers and what can happen with all the bad that happens its everywhere so we are less Likely to do that

Not sure. I think it is the same. But when i was in 1st grade i used to walk back home after my Mom would drop me off at school idk how i wasn't kidnapped or run over by a car back then.

I honestly think it's coverage. I think we watch more TV then we did 30 years ago so we see far more coverage on crimes then we used to. Likewise, with things like the internet, forums like this, we find out about murders that we would have NEVER known about 30 years ago.

I think also we are more isolated now. People rarely know their neighbors or others in their communities that they see everyone as strangers. This ups the paranoia about others, because EVERYONE is a stranger where 30 years ago they were probably friends .

I think it is safer today only b/c it is a lot harder away to get away with smurf. Way back then, not so much.

Somewhat, yes. 20 years ago my town was pretty much nothing but woods where everyone knew everyone. Now, there are oodles of houses, buildings, stores ect.. and way, way more people. You hardly even know who lives next door to you.

Quoting Layla-and-Faith:" Somewhat, yes. 20 years ago my town was pretty much nothing but woods where everyone knew everyone. Now, ... [snip!] ... there are oodles of houses, buildings, stores ect.. and way, way more people. You hardly even know who lives next door to you."

But do you think that actually makes it less safe, or just FEEL less safe.

As in, whether you know your neighbor or not, they can still rob you. It just depends on who it is.

So now that people don't meet their neighbors they FEEL less safe, but is it truly less safe?

Quoting she nan igans:" But do you think that actually makes it less safe, or just FEEL less safe. As in, whether you know ... [snip!] ... It just depends on who it is. So now that people don't meet their neighbors they FEEL less safe, but is it truly less safe?"

No idea, to be honest. I love my neighbors (the ones right next door) but I don't know the rest of them so I don't let my little ones play outside without me. If we were back to my town 20 years ago, I know everyone/trust everyone so I probably would let them out by themselves at a reasonable age. It did "feel" safer back then but I'm not sure if it really was.. we live in an almost 0 crime rate area.