After reading the sentences handed down for the beating death of Shane Rolston (here) and for kidnapping and sexual abuse of minor females (here) in the news over the past few days, I can’t help but think that the world has grown into something vastly different from the world I was born into.

As I child I remember being taught to both fear and respect the law. I remember police officers as being someone a lost child can turn to for help.

There was an element of shame associated with crime – even petty crime. As a teenager the worry that your crime would be discovered outweighed much of the temptation. You didn’t want to break the law because you were afraid someone would find out what you’d done.

I remember being able to knock on any door in my neighbourhood for help, a drink of water, or a trip to the bathroom. I remember going out to play early in the morning and not coming home until it was dinner time (or whenever we were looking for snacks). I remember biking about the neighbourhoods for hours on end. My time wasn’t managed, over 50% of my activities were spur-of-the moment and developed as a side effect of playing with the other kids in the area.

I am left wondering if I’ve blocked out sections of my childhood that don’t jive with my memories? Have I cleansed it to make the past seem much more innocent than the present? Has the world changed so much in 20 years?

I am at a loss for answers.

Technorati Tags: crime, punishment, childhood

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