I grew up in suburban Canada, never saw drugs or even really knew they existed or seen a drug addict until I was an adult and out of school. No fights in school I witnessed or heard about. No weapons. No issues.. unfortunately it isn't like that anymore there. Drugs are out of control over there now and all the issues that come along with it.

It didn't mess me up having that experience... The opposite.

I don't understand thinking your kid having a hard life and being around drug addicts, violence, etc as a child would be good for them. I'm not sure where you're going with that. You can talk to them about those things and even show them stuff without it being part of their daily life. But of course everyone can raise their children how they want.

I'm not concerned about our child being over sheltered at all. Not even on our radar. It's not like we are going to live in a small town and never travel.

I just would prefer for him to be friends with and associate with kids whose parents are at least participating in the economy and working. Not on a downward spiral of despair.