They're not being deprived of food, shelter and clothing. Nor are they being deprived of toys, computer games and television. Kids are being deprived of boundaries.

One of the joys of coming of age used to be pushing against the boundaries. The delight of inching toward adulthood was nudging your toe right up against the big black lines that bellowed, "No, not yet, wait just a few years longer." Now, for many, the lines have faded, and the boundaries have fallen.