Citation

Crawford SB, Bennetts SK, Hackworth NJ, Green J, Graesser H, Cooklin AR, Matthews J, Strazdins L, Zubrick SR, D'Esposito F, Nicholson JM. Health Place 2017; 45: 131-139.

Affiliation

Judith Lumley Centre, La Trobe University, Level 3, 215 Franklin Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia; Parenting Research Centre, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: j.nicholson@latrobe.edu.au.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.healthplace.2017.03.005

PMID

28359909

Abstract

This qualitative study involved focus groups with 132 children and 12 parents in primary and secondary schools in metropolitan and regional areas of Victoria, Australia, to explore experiences and perceptions of children's independent mobility. The study highlights the impact of family routines, neighborhood characteristics, social norms and reference points for decision making. Children reported a wider range of safety concerns than parents, including harm from strangers or traffic, bullying, or getting lost. Children expressed great delight in being independent, often seeking to actively influence parents' decision making. Children's independent mobility is a developmental process, requiring graduated steps and skill building.

Keywords: SR2S

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Children; Independent mobility; Parents; Physical activity; Qualitative methods