Liam Neeson Says American Parents Are Too Protective Of Their Children

Maybe Liam forgets that not everyone has money. I made two big trips in my teens - to the Cayman Islands and to England and Scotland, but that was ONLY because by then my parents could afford it, AND we saved a ton of money by not staying in hotels (we had people to stay with). That's the only way we could afford to go. How about a reality check, Liam?

He has some truth to what he is saying. I have met countless americans that have not left thier home state. They dont know anything outside their state talk less outside the US. Limited exposure just breeds arrogance. Some people like you are more fortunate to have travelled but its not a norm in america

* Ignorance not arrogance.

I agree with the money comment. I grew up as the youngest of five. It's not like we could afford to all jet off to India to experience culture. Of course he can afford to go all around the world, he's a celebrity! LOL

And as far as the over protectiveness, it wasn't always that way. I grew up playing hide and seek late into the night, but when you hear about kids getting taken from inside their homes, it doesn't exactly make you feel safe enough to let them play outside alone. It just takes one time, not paying attention. That is my worst nightmare to think of one of my angels being taken from me, and unfortunately, it happens a lot. I hate when celebrities make general statements about groups of people like they are the authority, it's usually some ignorant statement that follows.

Wait just one hypocritical moment here. He's going to kick his kids out at 18 to go experience the world. But...of course, he didn't do that himself because he was a late bloomer, and when he did go he stayed close to home.

I agree with the money issue. And then there's time issue as well. Don't forget that the average American or Canadian only has 2 weeks vacation whereas in Europe, you have minimum 4 weeks vacation (6 weeks in Germany). So yeah, if Americans had money AND time, a lot more would travel.

I have two precious little blonde haired blue eyed girls. In the last few years, we've seen far too many little girls who were playing in their own front yards be picked up, and have disappeared, only to find their bodies days or weeks later. Ask me if Im willing to allow that to happen. Ask me if Im willing to leave even a small window of opportunity open for that to happen. The answer is HELL NO. Does this mean Im "over protective?". Actually, no. Money is tight, so I havent shown my girls everything I want to, but Im teaching them to be smart. Not book smart, though Im teaching that too, but street smart. My older daughter is enrolled in a progressive karate class, and will not be done till she fully has her black belt. We go places and see things and meet people from all walks of life. Our children are growing up in a world where you have to be conscious of everyone's intentions. People may seem nice one minute and be a complete monster the next. I want my girls to be "aware".
His comment was not completely incorrect, but he was wrong to generalize. It's not just Americans that can be over protective.

I absolutely agree with Liam. Americans have bought into the idea of being fearful of our own neighbors-and have closed off their children to this amazing wonderful world we live in. In response to the woman who is afraid for her "two precious little blonde haired blue eyed girls."- aren't most children who are assaulted and kidnapped victimized by family members?

Also remember 65% of Americans don't even have a passport-I think that says a lot, Bush did a lot of damage to breed ignorance and closed mindedness about different cultures and we have a ways to go to recover. Why not allow or children to be part of the healing?

Well I think he did put his foot in his mouth a bit. I get so tired of celebrities telling us how to live our lives. If I had the money and work schedule that he does perhaps we would travel more. I am going to guess that he works for a few months while a movie is made and then has all this wonderful time to travel and experience the world. Meanwhile in the real world people work at least 40 hours work weeks. Also people forget that in Europe alot of counties are close to one another. As opposed to America where you have to fly quite a distance to get to a forgein country besides Canada or Mexico.

I agree with the money issue, the vacation time, and Hello? Ever heard of that little thing called the ATLANTIC OCEAN? It kind of puts a damper on travel when you must fly. No eurorail, no bus,no hiking over to england. Isn't texas bigger than most countries over there? His perspective is all off.

And yes, I hope he kicks his 18 year old out without a credit card. As if.

I am a European who has lived for many years in the US (back in Europe now)and I have to agree with Liam that Americans overprotect their children; breastfeeding til 2 years, letting them become picky eaters, the over prudeness, not letting them play outside alone (sticking them in front of video games instead)... I think all this works counterproductive. I am not saying we are better here in Europe but we are a bit more relaxed. My 6 year old twin girls flew by themselves overseas this summer for 4 weeks and were very proud of themselves and very well bahaved (don't worry, they are not always), they eat everything because we made them when they were younger, now they love trying new things like snails, oysters sushi, duck etc etc. It is not just the travelling, it is exposing your children to different cultures, foods, sounds etc that will make the openminded. If you do not have money, send them off to family members for a week or more! Don't keep them too close for too long!

Hmm, I can understand how Liam's comment might be misconstrued, but I actually have to agree with him. American families are very protective of their children-- of course there are some cases where that is necessary i.e. when they're young, but once kids grow up or reach an age when they are considered adults, it's ok to let them go, let them experience the world a little bit. My family isn't wealthy, but I've had a passport since I was a few months old and have been traveling since then to various countries. Even if you can't afford to travel or don't have the time, I think it's good to expose children to other cultures or people by taking them to museums, reading the newspaper-- the international section, and even without going too far, having them volunteer after school. There are plenty of programs like habitat for humanity that allow them to give back to the community. Any of those activities can help you be exposed to people that might live in a different situation than you and help kids achieve tolerance even if they can't necessarily travel to the places until they have their own money. I am so glad I've traveled and the money spent doesn't compare to the memories that I've made. Also, my volunteering has made me more grateful for the things I do have, which sadly is something that many kids or even people my age can't say.

I think money is not the issue there. I've met young Americans abroad (Europe and Africa), some of them with bank accounts thicker than mine. They were obviously taught to suspicious about anyone.Therefore, barely any contact with local people. I think Neeson speaks about a state of mind, you can have a small amount of money and be open minded. Young americans (again the ones I've met) tend to consider everyone who dares to approach them as a threat.They were wired to mom and dad, not a day without calls or e-mails.

I nearly expected to find some chip under their skin so their folks can follow their every move.Parents should be able to spend a day without hearing the voice of 20 year old on his way to discover the world.
That's a direct result of an overprotective education.
I don't say that kids must be taught to be careless but, at 18 it's difficult to see the world if your day is spent trying to reach mommy and daddy just to reassure them.
That's how I understood Neeson's comments and it's not money related.

100% AGREE with him!! American parents are NUTS, especially mothers, when it comes to protecting their kids from all the "dangers" out there!! There are hand sanitizers for those "mean, nasty germs", there are no bike rides that can go farther than 10 feet from the house, unless accompanied by their parents (You know because there are killers and molesters just waiting behind EVERY bush!!), no walking or biking to school themselves, no talking to all those "molesters!!" that every stranger must be!! There are so FEW actual STRANGER kidnappings every year, but all these parents act like it is as common as breathing. Kids are soooooooo sheltered nowadays, I feel so sorry for what they are missing. It is NOT any more dangerous than it was in 1950, any parent that thinks that it is, has no sense of reality.

Money is the big issue for a lot of famlies world wide. I think that if you do have the opportunity to travel you should. Everyone should be able to see the world and experiance different cultures. It's just not everyone has the money to go from here to there.

I really wish I had the luxury and time to travel anywhere in the world. I was very lucky that I got to travel all over Europe, United States and Canada when I was a child mainly because of my dad work but my memories are fading and I only remember bit and pieces. I do agree that 'generally speaking' that Americans are over-protective to their children...you don't see them outside riding bikes, playing tag, building a fort in the forest or anything like that anymore - not near as much. They're sitting at home watching TV or playing video games and getting fatter by the minutes....really sad IMO.

First of all, most Americans don't have a passport because the U.S. is huge. You can travel 3000 miles from one side to the other without ever needing a passport. Whereas in Europe a passport is probably just as valuable as a driver's license. There is plenty to see right here in our very own country. And before 911 it was just almost as easy to travel to Canada and Mexico. I would love to travel through Europe. But money IS an issue for most Americans. So we just stick to home and go to the beach or the mountains or one of our country's beautiful national parks. Americans do let their kids travel. Have you heard of spring break? I know its not the best example but what the heck! Second, if you want to address the "molesters" issue here in the U.S. just do a google search for the sex offender registry. Enter your zip code and see just how many sicko's there are. I grew up walking to the pool every day in the summer time with just my bathing suite on and my towel around my neck. No way in this world today would I ever let my child do that alone. The world was a safer place in 1950 in that regard. Maybe its because the population was lower. I don't know. But ya know what? If I didn't keep an eye on my kid or shelter him to some extent I would die from the guilt if anything ever happened to him.

I dont think Liam was saying to let your 5 year old wander the county without supervision. He was talking about 18 yrs old and older. If you can fight and die for your country then I think you can go on vacation without having to check in every single day with the folks. Thats the over-protectiveness I thought he was talking about. The first poster had it right with saying kids are growing up today not knowing how to make any decisions on their own because they are constantly tied to mom and dad with beepers, cells or blackberry's. Kids need to make their own mistakes and learn how to deal with others. I read an article about this same thing and the author commented on over hearing a teenager having to call their mother to see what kind of sprinkles to get on his ice cream. Thats pathetic.

I think he's absolutely right that American children don't travel as much as European children. It's a lot cheaper to travel through Europe when one lives in Europe, than it is to travel through Europe, or anywhere else for that matter, when two huge oceans separate us from any place anyone would want to go. Extensive travel from the US is a luxury of the wealthy. A ticket from the US to Europe is a lot more expensive than a ticket from London to Paris on the Chunnel. I'm just sayin'.

I agree and disagree. Agree because of the whole helicopter parent thing, yet disagree because this man makes millions of dollars for his job, unlike most Americans. We have to go to work 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, 50 weeks a year, generally speaking.

I agree with the money comment too. Of course you can tell your kids to go out in the big bad wqorld when you can send them off with an Am Ex Gold card and not worry about the consequences! I backpacked through Europe at age 20 with no $$, stayed in youth hostels and run down places. Let me tell you, there are some nasty neighborhoods in Paris that put the Bronx to shame. Ditto London and even poarts of Dublin. I narrowly escaped serious trouble a few times because I couldn't afford a decent place to stay. At one point I had no money to even call home so I called collect-my poor parents had 7 kids to support on a middle class income. They wired me some money but it wasn't easy when they had kids in college at the time.
Liam needs to realize that perhaps it is he and the celeb culture that are in a sheltered, priveleged world.

and, in re-reading what he said, he said nothing about watching your kids outside of stores or in the front yard! i'm quite sure he would accompany and have a watchful eye over his children when traveling! he's merely making a point that americans are too scared to travel or show their kids anything because of fear in general and it's RIDICULOUS. we are breeding a nation of fear.

Some people can't afford to travel.

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I disagree with this statement. I am one who as a child was blessed to travel; however I would not say it is because my family has tons of resources at their disposal. My parents made it always a priority to understand other cultures and backgrounds. When I was 13 my parents moved to England for the summer. We rented a two-bedroom flat in the countryside and lived simply. Then I was given an opportunity to Study in Eastern Europe in Lithuania for a semester. This was last spring during the elections in Russia and the threat of bombings and invasions. We're my parents concerned? Yes, of course. But it was the best decision I have ever made to live abroad. Not only did I grow up quickly, I learned valuable lessons about culture and history that America does not have to offer. But I do want to make a point, even if you do not have the resources to travel, there are many ways to experience other cultures. Our country is made up of hundreds of nationality and backgrounds and don't ever deprive your child of that. Volunteer in the innercity with your child. Teach your children what is like to have 1st generation parents from another country. Have cultural-themed nights. Teach them another language. Learn it together.

There is no reason living with the amount of resources we have available, libraries, museums, internet, books, movies that children should group up unaware of the diverse and beautiful world we live in.

I think the problem is that parents especially mothers in North America have an unhealthy obsession with being a perfect parent. Somehow parents feel that they should always know exactly what is right for their child and should be able to provide it. Which leads them to being overindulgent and overprotective. They are so paranoid about making a small mistake that will scar their child for life. I think there is a strong lack of discipline in this society. Children need love, rules and guidance. I feel that North American children are babied most of their lives and then in their twenties they are expected to turn into these capable adults when most of them have never had the chance to be independent. Their parents will pick them up every time they fall when they are a toddler, give them whatever toy, gadget, or money they want, defend them fiercely whenever they do something wrong , pay for their university experience- not just courses, but clothes, trips, alcohol and cars and then they will expect them to be an accomplished responsible independent adult when they have never had any practice.

That's pretty funny coming from a guy who admits that he stayed pretty close to home. I lived in France and Italy in my early twenties and travelled all over Europe. I've taken my only child to France, Italy, Canada, Mexico, Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora so far. I'm hoping if the economy improves we can go back to Europe next summer.

Ir'a very expensive to travel abroad, especially since the dollar is so weak. I think Liam put his foot in his mouth; obviously money is not an issue for him.