I am beginning to wonder if we are now producing a generation of namby-pambies. We are sanitizing their lives to the point that I fear for the future of the human race. Perhaps I am over reacting - but think about it.
We sterilize our houses to kill every known germ - good and bad. We stop our kids getting dirty to the point that some parents will not allow their children to play outside at all.
Moving outside, the playgrounds that kids now use are so 'safe' they are almost boring and kids really don't want to go to them. More importantly, most of them are taking away challenges. Our kids are no longer experiencing one of the most important lessons in early life - risk taking and consequences.
Look at today's playgrounds. Our kids will never get splinters from bare wood - there is no wood in most cases - it's molded plastic. Will they break an arm - no. The playground equipment is not high enough of the ground to cause a break. Not only that, most playgrounds have a soft covering to cushion falls.
Where are the trees or at least climbing frames? Does any one remember a flying fox? Do kids still make billy-carts to race on the streets. No, the streets are too busy.
This protection extends far beyond playgrounds. Parents no longer have to take responsibility. Swimming pools, and I am not joking, even the little blow up kinds, have to be fenced to 'protect' the children. COME ON PEOPLE. What about parental responsibility. This is one issue that I will come back to another day. The point I am making is - we are over protecting our children.
If our kids don't take risks, don't experience and conquer fears, and yes, occasionally fall and sprain a wrist, twist an ankle and perhaps even break a leg, they are not being challenged. They are also not learning consequences and problem solving. In fact, it not until they escape the clutches of their parents that they do start to take risks - the results can be devastating - car crashes and drug overdoses are two areas that will one day be linked back to the lack of risk taking during early childhood.
It will not stop all car accidents or drug overdoses and there will no doubt be the occasional serious playground accident - perhaps even death - but in the long run, playgrounds that provide a little less in the way of sanitation and a little more in the way of danger may actually be good for our kids. In fact, I think it is essential.
What are your thoughts? Are we over protecting our kids and shifting parental responsibility to the shoulders of others. I mean, why else would you sue someone when your child has fallen off a swing because you couldn't be bothered supervising them? Off course, they should have put a seat belt on the swing and foam rubber landing pad for them! The kids of the 21st century deserve a lot more - or in this case - a lot less in the way of protection.
I have many of my friends
I have many of my friends doing civil engineering and handling lot of projects. One of my friend is dealing a project of commercial playground equipment and I will be helping him. Some years ago, he was involved in the same project but it almost ruined his career. The playground was so dangerous that 2 kids suffered serious injury. Now, we are focusing and concentrating on those problems. As they are children, they don't much care about anything and these playgrounds are specially for children. So, the engineers involved in these projects should be more conscious and they should use more reliable good quality materials.
Thanks
Thanks for your input Thomas - it is much appreciated. I have turned the URL into a link for others to follow.
The article really justifies what I have said. I think there is a growing movement world wide now that supports this theory.
Thanks again for your input.
les
dangerous playgrounds
Well written. I agree.
This link joins up your story!
Guardian Newspaper Report
Reply to Dangerous playgrounds
I totally agree with your philosophy. Making playgrounds bigger so that people of all ages can play together is a good idea. Parents are then able to show their children (teach) how to climb up - and down - safely. But the hint of danger is always there.
Good luck with your approach - it would be nice to see it in action.
les
Dangerous playgrounds
I very agree with your story.
I am a student from Amsterdam who is working on my final project for my study Design for Public Spaces.
I have notice that the playgrounds in Holland are way to safe for kids. I find them not creative for there own good. The design of the the so called castels are way to finished. I have lived till my 10th year in Wayne NJ USA, so I have grown up with the old good, may called now as not safe equipment. It was fun to see how high I could climb and how smart to be to get down, even letting go was the easiest way but not the least painfull way. But that is the way to get to know how to handel in difficult times.
I agree that it is great for parents to take there kids to the playground, let them play around and let the parents keep an eye out on the kids. But can the watching time be more fun for the parents too. It is a kind of get together place for all ages. For my study I want to design a playground that can be used by adults, teenagers and childeren. I belive that the equipment can be more dangerous if it is also can be used by older people then childeren. My inspiration is brought by Claes Oldenburg, a Dutch designer who now has an exhibit in the Whitney museum in New York. He makes normal things ten times bigger. As I would like to do the same to rubber tires, slides, benches, picnic tables, swings (for two people) climbing bars etc. I feel that people dont get out very often and have a need to meet other people at the same time they let there kid play or when, as I speak for my self, have the need to feel like a child again.
Do you feel the same as I, or do you understand my idea of making this public "playground" space?
Post new comment