Is the world this insane?

It is pretty depressing to me that we have degenerated to the state where this article is controversial. Kids that age are smart enough to work alone in factories doing dangerous jobs, or lots of farm work. The only reason they don't now days is we decided they need more education to be of value to society. The idea that they might not be able to wander alone in public at a time in American history when crime rates are at a 40 year low is absurd.

The only real risk they face is the police.