When I was Calvin’s age (six), I knew where everything was within five miles of home. And we lived in a city of 2 millions, but that was in the early 60s, and kids went everywhere then, as long as we were home by dinnertime.
Our system of roads has been criticized as chopping up all space so as to make walking inconvenient and not entirely safe. It stuck me on a visit to Germany, what we think of as ‘alley’ is where the sidewalks and fronts of houses are.
If I can go by television shows in the late 50’s and early 60’s young kids like Little Timmy of Lassie, Beaver Cleaver, or Dennis the Menace were allowed to walk all around town by themselves without their parents worry except that they should be home by supper, but I didn’t know that in 1986 when this Calvin was published that Calvin’s mother would likewise not worry about strangers carrying candy.
Nowadays, it is not only unsafe for a young kid to walk far by him/herself, but I wouldn’t want them to be walking around in town by themselves, either.
BE THIS GUY almost 3 years ago
A six-year old strolling along the side of the road to get to town. That would be a child neglect/endangerment charge today.
codycab almost 3 years ago
And dad comes in saying, “Walking builds character!”
dadthedawg almost 3 years ago
It’s just a good stretch of the legs…..
Templo S.U.D. almost 3 years ago
now what do you want done in town, Calvin?
momofalex7 almost 3 years ago
My first question would be, “Why do you need to go to town?”
sirbadger almost 3 years ago
It must be a small town where the suburbs are less than a mile from town.
Red33410 almost 3 years ago
“Why do you think people have feet?”
jvo almost 3 years ago
When I was Calvin’s age (six), I knew where everything was within five miles of home. And we lived in a city of 2 millions, but that was in the early 60s, and kids went everywhere then, as long as we were home by dinnertime.
whahoppened almost 3 years ago
Our system of roads has been criticized as chopping up all space so as to make walking inconvenient and not entirely safe. It stuck me on a visit to Germany, what we think of as ‘alley’ is where the sidewalks and fronts of houses are.
jmworacle almost 3 years ago
Mom, you had to ask…
DavidHewlett almost 3 years ago
Is there no wonder as to why ’Calivin’s’ Mom is already starting to get grey hair ???
Troglodyte almost 3 years ago
Panel 5: Calvin hot-foots it outta there!
dcdete. almost 3 years ago
If I can go by television shows in the late 50’s and early 60’s young kids like Little Timmy of Lassie, Beaver Cleaver, or Dennis the Menace were allowed to walk all around town by themselves without their parents worry except that they should be home by supper, but I didn’t know that in 1986 when this Calvin was published that Calvin’s mother would likewise not worry about strangers carrying candy.
Chris almost 3 years ago
err… well, he’s not wrong.
Who, me? almost 3 years ago
Mom’s already been to town. She’s putting away the groceries.
Doug Taylor Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Good answer, good answer.
If “To work the gas pedal” is up there you’ll win the game.
Show me “To work the gas pedal”…
DING
(cue the music)
jagedlo almost 3 years ago
Great, Calvin…instead of going to town, you are heading to your room instead!
josballard almost 3 years ago
Why would Calvin’s mother even think about letting Calvin go to town by himself, given his ability to get into, shall we say, adverse situations?
TSRaman almost 3 years ago
How can Calvin work the gas pedal when he is siting as a passenger?
Prescott_Philosopher almost 3 years ago
My first question would be, “Why, what do you need?”
Gandalf almost 3 years ago
They’re also to pedal your bike, Calvin. Now, off with you!
scottartist creator almost 3 years ago
If I didn’t know that the strip began in the 1980s, I’d say that this one dates it back to the 60s.
jrankin1959 almost 3 years ago
Why should I drive you, Calvin? Especially since – if you noticed – I just got back from the store…
jrankin1959 almost 3 years ago
He probably wants to stop by the Army Surplus Store to see if flame throwers are back in stock…
formathe almost 3 years ago
At the age of 6 in 1958 I was allowed to wander the block. that block was just under 900 feet long in the City of Toronto. That was far enough then.
cosman almost 3 years ago
My Mom’d say, ‘Walk, and don’t come home ‘til the street lights come on..’
uniquename almost 3 years ago
… and, hopefully, the brake.
sobrown51 almost 3 years ago
If you’ve ever read “The Ransom of Red Chief” you may understand why Calvin’s mother is not concerned with him going to town by himself.
WCraft Premium Member almost 3 years ago
OK; sorry for asking. I’ll either hop a train or hitchhike.
mattro65 almost 3 years ago
Calvin is like my kids when they ask me to drop everything to get them an object that’s two steps away.
dougsathome almost 3 years ago
Careful, Calvin – her foot is dangerously close to your mouth.
BiggerNate91 almost 3 years ago
I bet Calvin would be anti-mask if he was in current times.
kab2rb almost 3 years ago
Well mom you used your car to drive to get grocery’s food.
Plods with ...™ almost 3 years ago
…and occasionally the brake.
chromosome Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Nowadays, it is not only unsafe for a young kid to walk far by him/herself, but I wouldn’t want them to be walking around in town by themselves, either.
hagarthehorrible almost 3 years ago
Where was that little feet when dads car veered into the street, with Calvin in driver seat.
JennaChidichimo (ImBACK) almost 3 years ago
Don’t get grounded, Calvin!
SamuelMeasa almost 3 years ago
A better question would be “Why do you want to go into town?”
da_villa almost 3 years ago
Wait a minute, didn’t the original script say “why do you think God gave you two feet?”