| I bring a few girls but trail behind them. |
I don't think that would ever occur in a large commercial market like DC metro area. Teens are big consumers and retailers want to make money and maintain market share. They will tolerate teen behavior as long as it's not too much of a nuisance. |
| I'd much rather they hang out at one of our homes. I know the safety concerns are statistically extremely minor, but that is always in the back of my mind a little. Also, I really am just kind of grossed out by malls and the EXTREME commercialism, so I don't like it as a place where teens would hang out regularly (once in awhile no big deal). |
| If shootings and stabbings are what you're concerned about, then statistically, colleges are far more dangerous. |
| My 14 year old DD goes..never alone with instructions to never split up. Perfectly safe? No But what is? DS has no interest. |
| Teens have always hung out at malls. I did it and I'm fine with my kids doing it. |
| I would rather them spend time doing something besides shopping, but I wouldn't be worried about their safety in a solid group. |
| See- I don't consider this "hanging out" at the mall. To me- your DD has a purpose- shopping, eating, etc. It's the kids who literally hang out- meaning they stand around congregating in the middle of the mall looking to instigate drama with other teens. |
As are churches. |
| That's all I did when I was a young teen. And we had to take the city bus to get there (the horror)! It's also where I had my first job. |