A couple of coworkers were discussing their kids today. One of them was asking the other if their kids started school yet. Shortly after that, one of them mentioned that their four kids had to go to different schools. That is, four different schools, four different routes. I thought that was nuts, and then the other coworker said, "Oh yeah, I know how that is. My two kids (similar age) went to different schools..." So this is normal for people these days?! Whatever happened to just letting your kids walk to and from school?
I can't imagine how much time, energy, and fuel gets expended on that logistical mess every school day, just because they either feel like they can't tear their kids away from their old friends or because they feel like their kids need to be at "the best" schools.
I know there's a lot of problems with the way cities are laid out, but gawd, they're really buying into it, and that's part of the problem. At least that younger generation is supposed to as a whole be less into driving.