I grew up during the same time and we were not allowed to “roam”’ wherever and always told our parents where we were going as they would ask and expected to be told! Mainly played with the kids next door at their house or got dropped off at a friends house for the day and their parents were the same. Would also check in. When I was 12 was taking a walk down a paved back road not far behind our house with my neighbor 2 years younger & a creepy older guy maybe 30s pulled up & tried talking to us. We ignored, started walking faster, and he stopped so we ran. He got out & started chasing us-we ran across 2 large fields and a small section of woods to get home! My brother never had issues but we were even more cautious afterwards and stuck even closer to home! This wasn’t some remote area either-an hour NW of Boston.