Why This Father Flat Out Refuses to Allow Sleepovers

On the PBD Podcast, the Home Team debates whether parents should allow their children to attend sleepovers. The speaker takes an absolute position against them, arguing that even trusting another family cannot completely eliminate the possibility of something going wrong.
The strongest verified data are broader than sleepovers: the CDC estimates at least 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 20 boys experience child sexual abuse, and about 90% of cases involve someone known and trusted by the child or family. That “known and trusted” statistic explains why some parents focus on supervision rather than assuming familiarity equals safety. CDC prevention guidance advises parents to know who is supervising their children whenever they are outside the home.
Another important detail: risk does not come exclusively from adults. Research summarized by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center indicates adolescents account for a meaningful share of sexual assaults against children, making supervision and household circumstances relevant considerations.