Traditional Cities and Towns: Incubators of Incompetent Children

"I live in a traditional town and am surrounded daily by anecdotal evidence reinforcing my cities-are-good-for-kids instincts, not just with my own child but with other kids too. But then I started thinking: I wonder if there are aspects of modern life, routinely accepted as normal, that my child won’t be prepared for."

Scott Doyon gets caustic as he gives some examples of what kids raised in walkable neighborhoods may have trouble dealing with when they grow up:

• She may suck at getting to places on time.
• She may be a terrible driver.
• She may be devastated by saying goodbye.
• She may fail to realize that services often cost money.
• She may be dumbfounded to find that some people think separating jobs, shops, parks, services and churches from where they live is a good idea.

It's not Friday. But it is funny. And sad, all at once.