In a Policy Studies Institute report published in 1991, by the same authors entitled "One false move... a study of children's independent mobility" (see IRRD 836906), the travel problems of schoolchildren aged 7-11 and 11-15, and levels of personal autonomy were examined in conjunction with their parents perception of the danger to which children are exposed to when travelling on their own. This paper focuses on the findings of the surveys of junior schoolchildren aged 7-11. Comparison of the findings with earlier ones carried out in 1971 (see IRRD nos 207092 and 225434) reveals that growth in car ownership and use has been associated with an increasing withdrawal of children from the consequent increase in danger, and therefore a decline in their independence outside the home.
Samenvatting