I think it's hard too with teaching kids versus what we have learned once we've become adults? Kids don't have a lot of choice as to whether they grow up on a safe/unsafe street and don't have a lot of experience either even with what's "safe" and what isn't.

Nowadays with drug problems more likely and people not being "outdoors" as much because of TV, computers, greater/maintenance work schedules, etc. they don't get to know and interact with neighbors so it can be "easier," I think, for bad things to happen. One can imagine something bad, just looking at a neighbor ("I don't like their looks") and if push comes to shove, it can be instant misunderstanding.

There's so much influence now too, from what young people see on TV versus what they experience. The "reality" shows aren't doing anyone any favors I don't think and all the crime and stunt shows, etc. Both parents working, not as much adult supervision of young people as they're growing up either sometimes.

I'm so sorry, what happened to your son, Muff, I can't imagine. I don't think you could have gotten it "right" whatever you'd done. With so many attacking him, might have gotten him even more hurt if he'd tried to defend himself.

I live in a "safe" neighborhood by virtue of it being back at the "end" of a development where no one comes who doesn't mean to and it's small, hard to get to, and even hard to "find" if you don't know it's here. However, the community just up the street/next door is embroiled in murders and constant police action, drugs, all sorts of really bad stuff. It's a very mixed area I live in.