Things To Know Concerning Latchkey Children

By Carol Thomas


The term latchkey kid refers to children who return from school to empty houses because of various circumstances. Such circumstances include divorced parents, extended working hours or death of parents. These kids are usually left home alone with little guardian supervision. The phenomenon of Latchkey children originated from World War 2 when kids were often left alone at home while their parents went to war.

Kids who have to look after themselves after school hours because their parents are too busy are commonly known as latchkey kids. At times such young individuals are compelled to remain in public libraries to kill time before their guardians get home or pick them up. In America the term is used to describe members of the famous generation X who went through the most significant youth years with the least parental guidance and least nurturing from guardians. Divorce and maternal involvement in the work force are the most common reasons for lack of enough parenting time.

Over the recent years the U. S government has struggled to reduce the growing rate of the numbers of the kids by establishing after-school programs. After such objective measures were applied the numbers of such kids has dramatically dropped over the past few years. Exposing children at such young stages to extensive periods of time alone can have some consequences.

With the high amount of attention drawn by the phenomenon, the government of The United states has implemented few measures with the aim of cutting down the numbers of latchkey kids. By introducing after school programs by engaging children in extracurricular activities to reduce the periods they spend alone at home with no supervision.

Age and the social economic state of the affected kids also contribute to the extent which lack of parental attention affects their behavior. Middle school kids are likely to experience more habitual challenges and have lower self esteem as a result of limited guidance. Kids from the less fortune families exhibit conduct abnormality, poor academic results and hyperactivity

Extensive periods of time spent alone makes kids stay indoors instead of playing outside. This results to challenges such as obesity and ultimately diminished self esteem. Latchkey cases are becoming popular globally. The significant increased numbers of single mothers in the workforce has attributed to the additional numbers of such children. For this reason they are forced to work extra time to provide for the families.

Legal concerns also pop up for library attendants who look after latchkey kids after school hours. This is in regards to cases of abduction of rape that may occur to kids when their parents fail or get late to pick up their kids. It is the duty of child welfare and the law enforcement to ensure that such occurrences are accounted for.

In conclusion, the existence of such children is more rampant in the modern day due to cases of divorced and maternal employment. Therefore it is advisable to consider the legal clauses that are laid down for the accountability of kids who are left alone often without enough parental guidance.




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