Does forcing children to become "latch key kids" help the children to become strong and independent?

Question

Latch Key kids come home after school and are suppose to stay home, lock the door and fend for themselves for several hours until someone comes homes. It appears to start at age ten.

Answer 1

In many cases, it's all that keeps a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. Would they be better off living in a cardboard box? No latch-key required, since cardboard boxes have no doors. Problem solved!

Answer 2

If its forced- Latch key kids are usually the result of mom not getting enough financial support from the absent parent.   She is not able to secure a consistent child care placement because she does not have the cash.

Answer 3

What the fu*k no

Answer 4

what is latch-key kid mean?

Answer 5

I was not a latch key kid other than the very rare time when my mother was still running errands or something and I got home first. But I worry about if my son will have to be. If it's a choice I don't think any parent wants to make it. If it's the only option.... well then we just have to deal don't we? GL

Answer 6

i believe that the mother should be home with their children  NOT at work,,, that is the husband's job,,, people can make it on one paycheck we do,,,, and we are fine.

Answer 7

Children have all their lives - later in life - to be independent and strong.  I find that, today, they lose their childhood far too soon...and the latch key kids are the most evident case of this.  Why can't we let kids be kids?  Why can't we let them enjoy their young years without a care in the world - instead of turning them into responsible creatures so young?

I find it all very sad...

Answer 8

In some cases yes...in others these kids end up getting into all kinds of trouble due to lack of supervision.  I guess it depends on the situation.

Answer 9

NO IT DOESN'T REAL MOTHERS BEHAVING LIKE MOTHERS WILL HELP

Answer 10

Never heard of that expression, but it's the way I have lived.

My parents are usually at work, so I was at home by myself to do my homework and everything when I got home.

Sometimes I made the dinner and things like that too.  It started when I was around the age of 11.

I'm 16 now, and as a result, yes, I think I have become independent.  I want to study abroad when I go to University, so I'll only be 18 when I leave home.

I don't think this will work with all kids though.

Answer 11

i was a latch key kid and ive turned out great.

Answer 12

That is too general of a statement to verify or deny. I think moreso, you allow (not force) a child to be a latch key kid because thay have shown some trust to you that they can be left on their own. So I think the strong and independent would come first.

Answer 13

It depends on the situation, what ages and how mature the children are, and how the parents teach them responsibility.  Forcing kids not taught right is asking for trouble.

In this day and age, a sitter or afterschool program is best.

I was a "latch key kid" from ages 11 to 18 with my brother (who is three years younger than I).  We did fine.  We knew enough what was not right to do.  Our mother taught us. This was before the age of afterschool programs.

Answer 14

I don't know.  When I was at school, I only knew one girl who had a working mother, it wasn't common among moderately prosperous families when i was young.  I remember her telling me how much she hated coming home to an empty house.  But I suppose it's much more common nowadays and children just accept it as normal.  Most people accept the status quo, whatever it happens to be.  My friend probably wouldn't have minded so much if most of the other girls in the class had also had working mothers, as I suppose would be the case nowadays.

Answer 15

In my case,

my child will be a "latch key kid".

she will soon be too old for a daycare. Its scary yes,but i think i have taught her well.

And as of now, her father is as useless as wet bread and i cant depend on him to watch her while i work. And i wouldnt want him too either.

Answer 16

I was one of those, but I had to when my parents divorced. I think it helps with learning responsibility, but it's sad that there isn't anyone to come home to.

Answer 17

I agree with Joel – being home alone doesn't make a kid strong and independent, but if the kid is strong and independent anyway, they'll probably have no problem being alone. I was home alone in the afternoons starting in middle school and I had no problem with it; I preferred it to being watched by someone who really had nothing to do because I was self-sufficient enough anyway.

Answer 18

It makes them independent, but have horrible lives. You are all crappy parents! Don't have kids if you aren't going to take care of them. Its your job to raise them, not raise themselves!

Answer 19

...I grew up in NYC and I wasn't "forced"...but  it worked for me.

Answer 20

I was a latch key kid at 8.  In ways it forced me to be more responsible, but it was also a much different time.  

my 8 year old could not do it, but my 6 year old could.  so read and trust your judgment of your kids personality.

Answer 21

I'm not aware of any child who has ever been forced to be a latch key kid. Most public schools offer free before and after school care to those who cannot afford it.

Around age 10, most children are wanting to explore their own freedom and independence. My brother will be 10 on Tuesday and he is begging my mother to let him get on the bus on his own, and stay home by himself over the summer.

Answer 22

Well, my mother wouldn't let me stay at home with my sister when I was thirteen.  She left us with some neighborhood friends when she took night classes for a few months :D.  

I don't necessarily think it would have any effect either way.  Most of the time, the kids will just do whatever (homework, frittering their time away) without it being any issue.  If an emergency arises, even older kids (14 or 15) might not be able to deal with it.  I think it's better to make sure child is not alone after school, simply because it can be very depressing.

If this is about women not working...they could earn enough money to send their children to an AMAZING afterschool program.  Ooh, what now?

Answer 23

Assuming:

-the parent spends as much time with the kids as possible when not at work;

-the kids are safe in the house; and

-they know what they're doing,

that's the way it's turned out in a good many cases. It certainly worked out well for me and my brother.

Answer 24

My mom went back to work when my brother was 12 and I was 10.

At that age my brother was also able to (legally) take baby sitting jobs.  It was no different watching his sister for a few hours til our parents came home.

Eight and ten is too young, I'll definitely agree.  But if your kids can be babysitters, what's the difference with them watching someone else's kids while their parents are gone and being home alone for a few hours until you get home from work?