[lberlin]

Seems like what "CPS would do" is the same logic described in the article itself, but instead of the perceived (but not statistical) risk to the children it's the perceived (but not statistical) risk to the parents of those children. I doubt (don't have real data) that reporting actually happens often at all, but it's so easy to imagine and potentially embarrassing and scary for a parent that they avoid it. So even if you don't buy into the perceived risk to your kids, you buy into the perceived risk to yourself.

[mcherm]

That's a fairly good argument. I would like to see some actual statistics the frequency of CPS overreacting in an unreasonable fashion. I certainly read many news stories about it, but that is misleading in exactly the same way as the stories we hear about child abductions.

I do however have some level of knowledge here. I have spoken with people involved in child protection about questions like this. I have been told that if this person saw a parent allowing their 11-year-old child to cross the street to play on a playground unsupervised that they would have to write it up. They backed this up with citations of specific laws (Maryland - which does, indeed, have absurd laws on this subject). So while statistics might convince me that this is an anomaly, I do have personal experience that suggests the CPS risk is real.

[viraptor]

This is a bit... absurd. What age are you allowed to cross the street unsupervised in the US / Maryland?

[MaysonL]

When my kid brother was in 6th grade (11 years old or so), he was a crossing guard, helping younger kids cross streets safely on their way to and from school.

[lberlin]

I meant the risk of being reported to CPS (or being called out in general) rather than the risk of CPS overreacting. Once it gets to them it sounds like they go by the book, but fair point.