Gender differences in children's pathways to independent mobility |
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| Authors: | Belinda Brown Roger Mackett Yi Gong Kay Kitazawa James Paskins |
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| Institution: | 1. The Young Foundation , 17 Victoria Park Square, Bethnal Green, London, E2 9PF, UK;2. Centre for Transport Studies , University College London , Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK;3. Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis , University College London , Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK |
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| Abstract: | This paper presents some empirical findings relating to the independent mobility of children in two parts of south-east England – one a south London borough, the other a suburban county north of London. In both locations boys appear to enjoy greater mobility than girls, and become independent much earlier. But closer analysis suggests that girls manage to attain similar levels of independence from adults by travelling more in groups. This collective independence achieved through peers is often overlooked, and may compensate modern children to some extent for their loss of individual freedom. |
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| Keywords: | children independent mobility social networks peer groups gender differences |
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