When I was younger we lived in a rural area of Pennsylvania. I could go out and ride my bike, or do whatever I pleased as long as my parents knew where I was. Now that I have kids I live in the Inner City of Indianapolis, in a pretty "ghetto" area. If my kids go outside its under my supervision. We have too many bums, theives, and god knows what else in this area. If I lived in an area similar to where I used to live I wouldn't have a problem letting them roam. Well.. To a limit... They are only 5 and 2. But once my daughter starts to make friends at school I will probably loosen the reigns.