4 ms·
> Only within the last generation or two perhaps has childhood changed from one of exploration and freedom to one of restriction and days scheduled to the minut
by lotsofpulp 3y ago
> Only within the last generation or two perhaps has childhood changed from one of exploration and freedom to one of restriction and days scheduled to the minute. Do the kids benefit from this unique way of being reared?
Probably 90% of kids in the US live boxed in a relatively small area by roads that are 50ft+ (if not 80ft) wide with 40mph speed limits so that huge vehicles are actually traveling at 50mph driven by people looking at their phone.
In addition, the density of kids is far less. A single street light only have a handful of kids, and probably not all the same age. A neighborhood might have a bunch, but not enough for the kids to mingle.
Plus many send their kids to daycare or afterschool activities. I spend $20k per year per toddler just so they can interact with other toddlers.
- ip26 3y agoI hadn’t considered the double penalty of lower density housing PLUS smaller average family size. You’re right, the average “kid density” has probably plummeted.
- asdff 3y agoSuburbia seems very stifling as a kid. I hated it growing up until I was old enough to drive because like you said, there's nothing to do if no one your age is around. I have since moved to a denser area and I see there are a lot more kids hanging out in groups without needing supervision. Its like how they showed it to us on TV growing up, with gangs of kids of varying heights wheeling around the town on the bus or bikes or skateboards. I'm actually a little jealous of it.