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September 23, 2025Children & SocietyOpen Access

Parental Understandings of ‘Stranger Danger’: Balancing Fear of Victimisation by Strangers Against Enabling Autonomy and Independence in Children

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Authors

CCCraig Collie

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Overview

Qualitative analysis reveals parents balance fears of stranger danger with fostering autonomy in children.

Key Points

  • Concerns about stranger danger have less influence on parental decisions than previously believed, promoting a focus on independence.
  • Thematic analysis of interviews with 43 parents highlights six key concerns regarding child safety and independence.
  • Parents exhibit a blend of anxiety and reassurance in teaching children about risks, emphasizing citizenship skills.
  • Findings suggest that parents prioritize equipping children with autonomy over overwhelming fear of strangers.

Cite This Study

Craig Collie (2025) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/68d4759931b076d99fa6d840https://doi.org/10.1111/chso.13001
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Also Consider

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  1. 1“Nobody Here Likes Her”—The Impact of Parental Verbal Threat Information on Children's Fear of Strangers2024
  2. 2Stranger Danger Awareness in Children with Special Needs: A Meta-Synthesis of Existing Literature2025
  3. 3Parental Experiences of Negotiating Teenagers' Independence and Boundaries in a Technology-Driven World2026
  4. 452 ‘Fear’ as the departure from risky to dangerous play: children’s perspectives on injury, safety, and having fun outdoors in low- to mid-income communities2024 · 1 citations
  5. 5Exploring Neighborhood Bonds and Built-Environment on Parents’ Perceived Safety2024