One thing I have noticed is that the world is a lot different to when I was a boy (I'm 50 now - living in the UK). Kids used to play out in the street - "the school of hard knocks" - and important social skills that were once taught there aren't any more. I think the kids are short of soft skills, most socialising is parent fostered and chaperoned - usually the moms.
We are afraid - rightly or wrongly - to let our kids outdoors (personally this is mainly because of cars - the streets have no space for kids)
Take my son - from Friday evening 'til Monday morning he mostly will just spend time with me and the missus, maybe his gran.
I'm not sure what the solution is really - iof there is one. the boo recommendation is still a good'un tho'
