My girls are really good so i don't need to use one... However if I felt that they are at risk in any way I wouldn't hesitate to use one... I would think of then as an extra hand.
As a teen I saw them as a 'dog lead', that was before I had more than one child to watch. I would hate to lose my ability to have outings with the kids (even if that were to be just grocery shopping) just because I feared my child/children would run away from me.
I think if you feel you may need to use one to keep you child safe as well as keep your independence, than get one, don't worry about what other ppl think or say.

GL
Tanya