It is scary out there
The dangers and uncertainties of the outdoors cultivate a culture of fear that deters parents from allowing their children to venture out to nature for playtime. Toggle below to read more about some common fears that parents may have that hold children back from playing in nature.
Stranger danger
Several studies have shown that even though children were living in proximity and walking distance to green spaces, their parents still had refused to let them go to the parks by themselves. Some had expressed fears of their children being kidnapped or assaulted by strangers or were afraid of they would be hit by dangerous car drivers while they played outdoors. This social issue of “stranger danger”, the idea that any stranger could be dangerous, portrays the outdoor space as an unsafe place for children to explore in, further inhibiting their ability to travel long distances to visit local parks.
Fear of injury
Children engaging in nature play are prone to injuries, as the woods are covered in slippery rocks and loose logs that if not tackled cautiously could lead to children slipping or tripping over. To prevent injuries, parents instead keep their child playing in a manufactured play area where safety regulations keep them at peace in mind. This constant fear of injury, unfortunately, means keeping children away from enjoying playtime in the woods.
Criminalization of nature play
Children in the woods also encounter wildlife species that could potentially attack and injure those who come too close to them. Policymakers are aware of these potential causes of injuries and have therefore restricted some wood areas, criminalizing those who trespass. Unfortunately, this limits the natural areas that children are allowed to play in and breeds the idea that natural play is being discouraged and even criminalized. To prevent their child from accidentally trespassing onto restricted areas, parents resort to keeping them at home where they can stay monitored and protected.
Fear of lawsuits
Let’s say a child has tripped over a fallen log and scrapped their knee while playing in the woods; who should we blame? Is it the parent’s fault for not supervising them? Or is it the city government’s fault for not making sure the paths are clear to walk on? With all the worries that come with the unpredictability of nature play, it seems as though keeping a child at home can prevent any chances of lawsuits occurring.
The sensationalization of these issues on news and social media further reinforce this culture of fear. Posts like these depicting the human-wildlife conflict can cause parents to over-estimate the rate of risks their children may face. It seems as though it is better to be at home safe than sorry.
Footage by Hello World from Youtube.