Do you know where your children are?

There once was a phrase often heard on television stations across the U.S., right before the local news, “It’s 10:00 PM. do you know where your children are?”

That simple question is loaded with consideration and issues.

For example, the question assumes that 10:00 PM is too late for children to be out and about, though it doesn’t specify the acceptable age (to be out and about). It also implies that many parents are so pre-occupied with their busy and self-indulgent lifestyle that they may not know where their children are, so a gentle question will get them to look around the house to see if, indeed, their children are where the parents think they are or should be.

Also implied is the concern that if children, whatever age they may be, are not at home with their parents, then they’re up to no good, causing trouble, heading for juvenile delinquency. Based on the number of car, truck, moped, and motorcycle accidents that take place after 10:00 PM, additional parental concern regarding the whereabouts of their children is probably warranted.

It takes about five seconds to ask the question, “It’s 10:00 PM. Do you know where your children are?” Television stations make money by selling advertisements to be watched by viewers. I’m certain no television station ever went broke by running a five second public service announcement just before the 10:00 PM news.

Why are such questions not asked in public anymore?