It didn’t just start this year. Or anytime during the “pandemic.” In fact, Elgielene and I have noticed this, for a long time, during our walks through scores of neighborhoods across the country. Generally speaking, kids don’t play outside now.
Sure, SOME kids still play outside.
But we go for long walks through all kinds of neighborhoods. And we comment on how peaceful it is. And where we live now, in the heart of America, we don’t even see many adults outside. Even in the best spring weather we see right now. You might conclude people just don’t like the most affordable Vitamin D there is.
Well, YOU might not conclude that. But I would.
Anyway…
I just read some snippets of info based on research titled, “Decline in Independent Activity as a Cause of Decline in Children’s Mental Well-Being: Summary of the Evidence.” Wow. That’s a mouthful. But the study boiled it down to a decline in adolescent mental health due to “the decline in unstructured, unmanaged, and unsupervised play.”
And that study added that the number of “children playing outside has plummeted.” But it also said, “This is not because of the ‘laziness’ of video-gaming kids but because of parents’ fears of crime or traffic.”
And, get this, parents don’t wanna be seen as bad parents for allowing kids to play outside in that kind of world.
Again, wow!
I thank God I was fortunate enough to grow up in a time before parents (and this world) lost their minds. Because I remember playing outside. But not just bumping around in the yard. I remember riding my bike miles away from home. My brother and I would ride bikes to the store, the pool, the schoolyard (on weekends), and just about everywhere.
Sometimes we wouldn’t go home for hours.
We got to have what that aforementioned study called a “play-based childhood.” And the research, in that study, showed that “play and exploration are essential for what it means for us to thrive as human beings.” They also added that the best play time provides “the sort of unstructured freedom to independently encounter obstacles and problems. And overcome them.”
It certainly supports my belief that I’m much better off than kids these days. Because I got to play outside in a very unstructured way. Of course, we didn’t think of it as being able to “independently encounter obstacles and problems and overcome them.” We just thought of it as FUN.
I understand this world is more dangerous than ever for young kids. But I also understand that keeping kids locked up isn’t the solution. Keeping adults locked up (aka: in prison) isn’t the solution either.
Punish criminals. On three levels. Restitution. Corporal punishment. And capital punishment.
Do that. Make it sting. Make sure criminals suffer instead of kids and confused parents. It’s God’s way. I realize His way isn’t popular in this everybody-needs-to-acknowlege-and-understand-my-feelings day and age. But it’s the only way back to kids being able to safely play outside.
I’m Better Off
I think we can agree, I’m not better than you.
It isn’t very hard to believe that it’s true.
But let me say this now, and I hope you won’t scoff.
Though I’m not better than, I know I’m better off.
I’m better off,
If you say there is no Jesus and no Truth that ever frees us.
I’m better off,
If you say no bright tomorrow can erase all of your sorrow.
I’m better off.
For a multitude of reasons, an eternity of seasons.
I’m better off,
When I leave this dark theater, I’ll go live with the Creator.
So, I’m not better than any person who sins.
No, that’s an argument where no one ever wins.
But try to understand, and don’t grumble and cough,
When I say “trust the Lord“, and you’ll be better off.
© 2014
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