Essay On Latchkey Children

For children growing up in the modern era specifically the last few decades there has been a social term referring to children whom are left for significant amounts of time to care for them self as Latchkey children. These children come from both married and single parent households. Often the reason the children are left to care for them self in modern-day societies is so their parents can work. From the time the kids get out of school to whenever their parents get off work they’re alone without nannies or babysitters. Today children who self-care are often viewed has abused or neglected although this is not always the case. Often the term latchkey children it is associated with feminism and single mothers creating problems for society by breaking down family structure and societies morals on raising children (Muller, 1991). Studies do show that single parents are more likely to leave their children to self-care it is not a matter of choice but of necessity.

Latchkey children grow up in a variety of settings that lead to self-care, which depends on multiple factors including family relationships, trust, poverty and the parent’s methods of childcare (Muller, 1991). Many latchkey children spent their time watching TV, playing video games, and visiting staying at friends houses, while others were left

wondering around the community (Landers, 1986). Other times children are left wondering community because their parents do not trust them to be home lone locking the child out of the home until the parent comes home from work. Other latchkey children leave home while the parents are gone searching for a sense of belonging joining other groups of children sometimes causing trouble and joining gangs (Vandivere, Tout, Zaslow, & Calkins, 2003). It is important to note not all children growing up in a household that relies on children to be able self-care does not automatically mean the child will become involved with drugs, gangs or become another teen pregnancy statistic (Landers, 1986). However, self-care does increase the chances of poor discussions being made by children and teens without adults providing guidance to mediate and influence the decisions being made by children.
It is the latchkey children that are out wondering the streets either by choice or force that bare the most resemblance and commonalities to the children of roman antiquity.

In urban settings children on the streets are more likely to be exploited and become involved with gangs (Vandivere, Tout, Zaslow, & Calkins, 2003). Out on the streets the children are more likely to engage in gangs due to the cared for feelings associated with being part of a group with members looking after each other in a family like manner. The danger of being abused by adults, engaging in acts of violence and high-risk activities is often higher for latchkey

children.