Discussions

There is an interesting article in McLeans (Feb 26/07) regarding how kids are being denied the experience of risk and responsibility.  
 
READ:In many communities, we are failing miserably doing much more than keeping our children vacuum-safe. They are not getting the experiences they need to grow up well. An entire generation of children from middle class homes, in downtown row houses, apartment blocks, and copycat suburbs, whose good fortune it is to have sidewalks and neighbourhood watch programs, crossing guards, and playground monitors, are not being provided with the opportunities they need to learn how to navigate their way through life’s challenges. We don’t intend any harm. Quite the contrary. In our mania to provide emotional life jackets around our kids, helmets and seatbelts, approved playground equipment, after-school supervision, an endless stream of evening programming, and no place to hang out but the tiled flooring of our local mall, we parents are accidentally creating a generation of youth who are not ready for life. Our children are too safe for their own good.  
—From Too Safe for Their Own Good  
Michael Ungar  
 
I really agree with this man and enjoyed the interview with him. I totally agree with his concept that kids are so coddled now, we are denying them life experiences.  
 
What do you think?