What Is a Latchkey Child?

A latchkey kid, or latchkey child, is a child who returns to an empty home after school or a child who is often left at home with no supervision because their parents are away at work. The child can be any age, alone or with siblings.

Why do they call it latchkey kid?

The term refers to the latchkey of a door to a house, or home. The key is often strung around the child's neck or left hidden under a mat (or some other object) at the rear door to the property. ... The higher the educational attainment of the parents, the higher the odds the children of this time would be latchkey kids.

What are some dangers for latchkey children?

These children, in turn, face a growing number of problems such as physical and sexual abuse, crime and delinquency, depression and suicide, drug and alcohol abuse, emotional and behavioral problems, learning difficulties, school attendance problems, domestic violence, pregnancy, abortion, and venereal disease.

Sophia Al-Mansoor

Sophia Al-Mansoor

Global Business & E-Commerce Reporter

Sophia analyzes international trade, startup ecosystems, retail transformation, and supply chain logistics for modern digital publications.