While the point is valid. I believe the experience described is mostly American not "western".

And I find the anti-modernity sentiment embedded in the fascination with hunter-gatherer cultures obnoxious.

Is the author aware that child mortality in hunter-gather cultures is like 50%?

Not that its correlated with childhood independence, we used to have plenty of independence when I grew up in the 90s and the mortality rate was about the same as it is now. But the point is kids need independence, not woods nor machetes. You can be independent in the park, in the streets, the undeveloped lots, the empty parking lots, your friends basement, and their yard when their parents are away.