This is one of the main reasons why I do not want to raise any children in the US if I decide to have them, despite being born and raised there and that being where my entire family is. I was raised at the beginning of when this helicopter crap became popular and feel it deprived me of part of my childhood. I think there's also a huge culture of denial and projection when it comes to how often family are to blame for incidents like molestation and abduction. I'd also say this undermines kids' rights first and foremost. Most of them shouldn't need permission to go beyond a leash's length.