archie bunker wrote:
I grew up in town as a 'latchkey' kid. My brother, sister, and I mostly raised ourselves. I was shipped south to my aint,and uncles every summer where I worked on the hog farm, and in the peanut fields every day.
Once I had my own family, I moved us to the country as quick as I could. We raised most of our own food, and my kids worked for most everything they got. It made them into good people who work hard, respect others, and appreciate what they have.
I was a child of a single parent after one parent died before I was 10.
I was lucky enough to live in a neighborhood where we never had to lock our doors. My remaining parent was unable to afford a sitter or daycare for me and my siblings, so we were left to the boundaries of the neighborhood and punishment for violations. Our "Nosey" neighbors kept an eye out for us, and reported what they felt necessary.
It wasn't until decades later that I was told how deprived I was....