HOME ALONE: LATCH-KEY CHILDREN ALSO CONCERN

"Home Alone." This madcap movie title took on a sinister meaning last month. A Chicago couple left two young children alone nine days over Christmas while vacationing in Mexico. The children, ages nine and four, sought refuge from a neighbor when a smoke alarm sounded.

The story garnered headlines across the country. People were shocked, and outraged. Talks shows buzzed with theories and similar tales.

But the extreme nature of this case pointed out the everyday problems of latch-key kids. Thousands of children across the country are left to care for themselves on a regular basis while their parents work or run errands. So far, few programs have addressed the needs of these families who can ill afford or choose not to use day care.

The Chicago case appears criminal. But other instances are not so clear. When is it a crime to leave your children alone? When are children ready to stay home alone, even for a few hours? The law is not always definitive. It often depends on the maturity of the child and the parents' circumstances. It also depends what happens to the child when he or she is left alone.

Law enforcement agencies don't go ringing doorbells to see who's at home. Often, authorities are alerted by a complaint or when an emergency develops when children are left at home.

It's estimated that 3 million children between the ages of 5 and 13 care for themselves while their parents work. Most research shows that children aged 10 or under or too young to be left alone at any time. After age 10, the maturity of the child figures into home alone decisions by parents or law enforcement. And just because an 11 year old can take care of himself, doesn't mean he can take care of a younger brother or sister.

One solution to this latch-key problem has been posed by public and private schools. Some districts, including three in Perryville, are offering after-school care. Immanuel Lutheran initiated a program last fall, followed by St. Vincent Catholic School in January. The Perryville public schools system followed suit this fall. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education offers grant money to public schools interested in beginning these after-school programs.

It's an idea that will spread to other areas. Of course, districts should try to ensure the programs are self-supporting. Granted, schools offering this service walk a fine line. The programs should be geared to people who can't afford conventional day care and have no family resources available. Schools should not compete with day care programs, but neither should young children remain unsupervised at home.

Today's "average" family is not the same as 10 or 20 years ago. Two parents work in many households. Children are left home alone on an increasing basis. There's nothing wrong with feeling outrage about this Chicago case. But it might be more productive to funnel that fury into action closer to home - aiding our own latch-key kids.