Description: This is a picture of a modern day playstructure. It is made mostly of plastic. It is also in the middle of an empty play ground on a lovely day.
Interpretation: Society has changed. Ten years ago when I was a young child I would have rushed out the door to play on a day such as the one depcited in the photo above. The play structure would have likely been crawling with children as would the play ground surrounding.
In today's society a parent's worst fear is lurking around every corner. A child could fall and break a limb or be abducted by a stranger hiding in the dark corners of the play ground and cause immediate panic and worry. Ideas such as these cause us to think twice about sending our children out to play on a lovely day. Often parents are concerned about letting their child play much farther than their front yard without constant supervision. By doing this have we created an epidemic?
Childhood obeisety today is a major issue within society. Children are spending more time indoors playing video games and using the internet than they are outdoors ... being children. Have we as a society created this epidemic through our desire to overprotect?
By overprotecting from either percieved or real danger parents have created an actual danger to their children's health... OBESITY!
Society tries to make up for this over protection by creating video games that supply our children with the exercise they would normally be getting outside. By doing this we shelter our children from the opportunities that outdoor exploration can offer. Our children are now more likely to be come video game creators than "bug hunters."
Can we reverse this situation or has it progressed beyond any chance of being reigned in?
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