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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
As a Japanese, let me tell you that generalizations are always wrong. Yes, there are toddlers who run errands in Asia - it's prevalent in China too. Yes, the main danger is being hit by a car (there are often no sidewalks and the residential streets can be narrow). Many families do not do this errand thing, or plan it so that the toddler has a safe route to the nearest store. It's orchestrated, in other words, and the goal is development of self-esteem and self-reliance.

In Japan, some schools pair up Kindergartners by geographic location and expect them to walk to school and back as a pair. Again, this is a tradition and not always implemented for safety reasons.

[b]What I do notice in my travels is that European and Asian families don't carry their house contents with them when they go on outings! Fewer sightings of huge diaper bags, double strollers, minivans spilling out their overflow onto the sidewalk, etc. Even toddlers carry their own little bags with small water bottles. The parent has a normal bag, with a diaper and little packet of wipes. No need for food or toys if the outing lasts less than a few hours. In the US their peers in similar conditions are often fed and entertained constantly to keep them well-behaved and as a result develop patience and coping skills somewhat later in life.[/b]
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However, fortunately generalizations are always wrong.[/quote]

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