Ms. Skenazy was labeled "America's Worst Mom" for allowing her 9-year-old son to ride the New York subway alone, advocating for less parental control. Her statement that "letting children use their wits helps them mature" sparked a debate about "overprotective parenting."
Children Should Not Travel Alone on Subways
While agreeing with Ms. Skenazy's approach of letting her 9-year-old ride the subway alone, Professor Liu Xiangping from the Psychology Department at Beijing Normal University believes this practice is unsuitable for China. For instance, during Beijing's rush hour, subways and buses are extremely crowded—even adults struggle to navigate the crush, let alone a 9-year-old child.Only when homes are close to schools and the environment is safe should parents stop hovering over every step of their children's commute. Allowing children to walk independently can be an effective way to cultivate their autonomy.
Start with Household Chores
Liu Xiangping further notes that involving children in age-appropriate household tasks cultivates self-reliance and responsibility. Without such exposure, children may assume parental intervention is inevitable, developing dependency under overprotection that ultimately erodes their independence.Therefore, parents are advised to cultivate children's independence starting with low-risk, manageable tasks like washing their own clothes, tidying their rooms, managing their allowance, or planning gift purchases.