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Over-cautious parents stop play
Children are being denied adventurous play because their parents are nervous about exposing them to risk, a new survey suggests.
The UK-wide poll, commissioned by Play England, found half of 7-12 year olds have been stopped from climbing trees.
It also showed 21% of those surveyed had been banned from playing conkers, and 17% were not allowed to play chase.
The ICM poll interviewed 1,030 children and young people aged 7-16, and 1,031 adults during July 2007.
Play England, which says it promotes free play opportunities, insists that parents "constantly wrapping children in cotton wool" can harm the children's development.
The poll found showed 51% of children aged 7-12 were not allowed to climb a tree without adult supervision, with 49% stopped from climbing trees altogether because it was considered too dangerous.
'Life skills'
According to the research, 70% of adults had their biggest childhood adventures outdoors among trees, rivers and woods, compared with only 29% of children today.
It found children's experiences of adventure are confined to designated areas such as playgrounds (56%), their homes (48%) or theme parks (44%).
Adrian Voce, director of Play England, which is part of the charity National Children's Bureau, said playing was "an essential part of growing up".
"Adventurous play both challenges and excites children and helps instil critical life skills," he said.
"Constantly wrapping children in cotton wool can leave them ill equipped to deal with stressful or challenging situations they might encounter later in life.
"Children both need and want to push their boundaries in order to explore their limits and develop their abilities."
The survey was carried out to mark Playday, the annual celebration of children's right to play, which is co-ordinated by Play England.
Hundreds of events will be taking place across the UK on Wednesday 6 August to celebrate Playday.
Posted by: Puchiko
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Posted in: News on August 5, 2008 @ 12:00 AM
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I'm beginning to be quite thankful for my parents.
It's double ironic that parents are so concerned over their children getting hurt while playing, but pay no attention to the immerse mental damage caused by school
Retarded.
Hey, I still climb trees! This is ridiculous- can't children be children? So what if the kid emerges with a couple of scratches or bruises! By trying to keep children from harm, parents often end up CAUSING them more harm. It seems nobody appreciates adventure anymore...they would rather put you on Ritalin and keep you dull and quiet. :(
My brain just exploded...Ow. Can people get any stupider?
I know used to go up into to the forest by myself heaps when I was younger. I LOVED climbing trees. I can't imagine what would have happened if I was denied that opportunity.
I remember when I was young near my school and grandma's place we had a nature trail that my friends and I would play in and we had fun playing in nature where it was quiet so I know how much bullshit this is.
Yeah, I heard about this on the news. I personally wasn't even allowed out of my own street on my own until I was about nine or ten. My mum used to say to me:"I don't think you're street-wise enough yet". How am I supposed to become more street-wise if I'm not given the opportunity to be street-wise!?
That what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. The parents fucked the quote up so now it says that what doesn't kill you will kill you because you're so pweshis and kewt.