Why was a 7 year old and then a 5 year old walking around the streets?

This may be a shock to you but at one time kids were allowed to be independent a whole generation called Generation X. also known as the latch key generation, gasp we were even of all horrors left alone in the house, by ourselves. We walked back & forth too school without supervision, we went to parks without parents, we even rode backs without HELMETs. How evil kneviel of us. We were even told to stay outside & play until DARK.  at anyone even asking this silly question. Most of us weren't kidnapped, even as we ran through the streets like wide animals. Parents let the media scare them, I call it bogey man facts. Modern parents TBH aren't smart enough to figure out there isn't a kidnapper around every corner. In fact they run a bigger chance of molestation happening from a family member or acquaintance versus a total stranger. Not using common sense at all about it.

Nope idiot. That sick, determined scumbag who can't control his urges led to these boys getting kidnapped. I walked home all the time from school without trouble and my parents are the greatest. Steven's parents could have done a little better about making him aware of stranger danger but they were still good parents unaware that a dangerous man has been watching him. As for Timmy, it was obvious that he had good parents who totally made him aware i.e "I don't know him, I'm not supposed to go with strangers" but unfortunately the kidnappers had to resort to force. Also, try reading a little more before you rush to judgment, in the book it stated that Timmy usually walked home with some girl until he arrived at his babysitter's house while the parents were both at work. Bad parents wouldn't care to warn their kids about the dangers of talking with strangers.

I wouldnt call them bad parents. There are just bad people who will take advantage of any situation. At the time, Steven's parents were just parents who did the best they could at a time where it was the norm to let your kids be free because it appeared their world was safe. It actually wasnt but still is it any different. In some way parents today will let their kids do stuff under the idea that its safe or wont hurt anything or even does not hurt something. Parenting then and now isnt perfect. Im sure the parenting of today will likely be criticized due to our over diligence, overindulgence, ignorance or maybe even lack of knowledge dealing with our kids. One which future generation will probably have better knowledg on. Reaplly it really not worth crozing because the times and information was different or unknown.