Latchkey as a kid?

Rhyme n Tekniq

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I def was a latchkey kid

I'd have the crib to myself for about 5-6 hours. Parents would give me an allowance + go on massive grocery shopping haul, to make sure I had plenty of food at the house.

Social life wasnt a problem, I got plenty of that during school hours + I had a shyt ton of friends in my neighborhood; My street alone was packed with friends/family and our parents all knew each other; true community. My parents crib had the the biggest yard on the street though (Massive front&back)
so naturally all my friends wanted to play football and shyt there and had to go through me (Just dont hit or lean on my pops Lincoln or Ma's BMW nikka:ufdup:)

If I got tired of playing the Playstation/Sega Genesis I could easily go outside and find plenty to do with friends. I cant stress enough my street was littered with kids so I was wealthy with friends, especially being the hyperactive class clown I used to be lol.

I dont think it made me a lonewolf, I jthink I was born with a high capacity to be alone for long periods of time unbothered. But I can be social just as seamlessly

I do think being a latchkey kid made me self reliable and not take people's trust for granted (having to cook my own food and being trusted not to burn the crib down or let people in the crib before parents got home"

I had to mature quickly because even though I was given alot of freedom and autonomy, I had to be responsible with those as well. And it wasnt like I could just call them on their cell back then, because their were none until beepers came along. I had to figure shyt out.


wouldnt change a thing though, life was still good back then
 
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Micky Mikey

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I was latch key since age 9. I definitely grew up with some insecurities and feelings of loneliness . It didn't help that I was an only child too. But my mom did the best she could so I don't fault her for it.

Its a miracle I didn't join any gangs or go off on the wrong track tbh
 

Alvin

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he effects of being a latchkey child differ with age. Loneliness, boredom and fear are most common for those younger than ten years of age. In the early teens, there is a greater susceptibility to peer pressure, potentially resulting in such behavior as alcohol abuse, drug abuse, sexual promiscuity and smoking.[12][13] The behaviors might stem from "unspent energy, peer pressure to misbehave, or hostility because of the lack of appropriate adult attention".[14] However, some children experience other effects, such as an early development of self-reliance, adaptation to difficult situations, and a desire to contribute to a visible need in the household.[citation needed]

Socioeconomic status and length of time left alone can bring forth other negative effects. In one study, middle school students left home alone for more than three hours a day reported higher levels of behavioral problems, higher rates of depression, and lower levels of self-esteem than other students.[15]

Children from lower income families are associated with greater externalizing issues (such as conduct disorders and hyperactivity) and academic problems. This association was weaker for children from middle income families as compared to their supervised peers.[16] In 2000, a German PISA study found no significant differences in the scholastic performance between "latchkey kids" and kids in a "nuclear family".[17]

Positive effects of being a latchkey child include independence and self-reliance at a young age. Deborah Belle, author of The After-School Lives of Children: Alone and with Others While Parents Work suggests that being left home alone may be a better alternative to staying with baby-sitters or older siblings
 

Trot LaRoc

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Was always latchkey from 1st grade on. I liked the freedom, I woulda hated having a parent always around. I think it made me more independent....learned to make my own food, do laundry etc.

I didnt feel alone bc I had plenty friends close. I would come home, do my work real quick and go out and play hoops, football or soccer til 5:30 when my parents came home. We would all have dinner and hang out as a fam after that point

I can tell a lot of folk always had they mom around to wipe they ass

Same dudes get divorced at 40 and have no clue how to take care of themselves:francis:
 
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