9 Year Old NYC Kid Takes Subway Alone -- Bad Parenting?

[Oexmelin]

I know that by age 11 I was totally used to travelling alone on the subway, because that year the new Spadina subway extention opened, and I can remember going to each and every new station and collecting a transfer, spending a whole afternoon by myself doing this - and by that time single subway travel was already old hat for me. But I don't remember what age I started to ride on my own. Must have been around 9 or 10.

Since you like graphic novels and bande dessinée, you should check out Michel Rabagliati's excellent Paul series, either in album or in Drawn and Quarterly annual (or in the original French edited by La Pastèque). In one of the albums, Paul does the exact same thing.

[Malthus]

I know that by age 11 I was totally used to travelling alone on the subway, because that year the new Spadina subway extention opened, and I can remember going to each and every new station and collecting a transfer, spending a whole afternoon by myself doing this - and by that time single subway travel was already old hat for me. But I don't remember what age I started to ride on my own. Must have been around 9 or 10.

Since you like graphic novels and bande dessinée, you should check out Michel Rabagliati's excellent Paul series, either in album or in Drawn and Quarterly annual (or in the original French edited by La Pastèque). In one of the albums, Paul does the exact same thing.

Really? Cool, I will have to check that out. Thanks!

Edit: this one? http://www.amazon.ca/PAUL-DANS-M%C3%89TRO-MICHEL-RABAGLIATI/dp/2922585271/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241537774&sr=8-1

[Oexmelin]

Yep, that's the one. 

[Syt]

Meanwhile, kids in Brooklyn need to be reminded not to eat racoon feces.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30558815

Rare raccoon roundworm blinds NYC teen
Disease transmitted through contact with animal's feces, officials warn

NEW YORK - A rare disease transmitted through contact with raccoon feces has left a New York City teenager blind in one eye and an infant brain damaged.

The city's Department of Health warns parents to be on the alert for raccoon roundworm, which can cause nausea, nerve damage and even death. It says fewer than 30 cases have been reported in medical literature.

Health department spokeswoman Sally Slavinski says parents should supervise children to keep them from eating raccoon feces. Droppings should be picked up using gloves and disposable bags and put in the trash.
Story continues below ↓advertisement | your ad here

The worms lay eggs in the feces; they hatch after being ingested and travel through the body.

The teenager lost sight in one eye in January. The infant has been hospitalized since suffering seizures and spinal problems last October. They're from Brooklyn.

[Phillip V]

Grow up.

[The Minsky Moment]

Actually, I think the decision to send him with a couple of quarters instead of a cell phone just waiting to be stolen was fairly clever. @Alfred: The question is: can you find a working payphone anymore.

yes they really still exist in NYC - every now and then I forget to recharge my cell battery and I have to use one.