Does your 15 year old go outside alone?

Photo byNAMUBIonUnsplash

My 15-year-old daughter has recently started walking to and from our local coffee shop, and she FaceTimes me at specific milestones. It’s only a 5-minute walk each way, but she has also expressed a desire to start walking to a nearby park to “vibe out.” While I want to encourage her independence, I’m hesitant to allow her to go to the park alone.

I grew up in New York City, where I often walked alone and experienced verbal harassment, making me feel unsafe. I don’t want to project my trauma onto my daughter, but I also know that many people don’t have teens’ best interests in mind or look the other way when something sketchy is happening.

To add to our concerns, we’re Black and unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of faith in the authorities should anything happen. My daughter is also currently being assessed for neurodivergence.

In our previous densely populated urban area, it would be very odd to see a young child roaming the streets alone, and the authorities would be called. I’m not disparaging parents in other areas who may have different experiences, but it’s important to recognize that not all parents have the same level of safety in their communities.

I have talked extensively with my therapist about this issue, and many families of color have to navigate similar challenges, especially if they live in less safe areas or have experienced trauma. My daughter is also in therapy, and I’m proud of the person she’s growing up to be. I’ve worked hard to give her the life she has and won’t let strangers on the internet take that away.

So, my question is, how can I give my daughter more independence while keeping her safe? I’m open to practical tips and suggestions from other parents who may have navigated similar challenges.