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Protecting our kids?

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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

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New article in The Atlantic on how "over-protecting" children keeps them safe, but may also keep them from developing creativity and courage. Certainly a subjective issue, but ...

Can't tell you how many times at Old Sturbridge Village where I volunteer, I've seen parents spray their kids with antibacterial stuff, and tell them not to touch anything. We're an outdoor, living history museum. Face it: germs exist (both inside and outside of our bodies). Species develop through creativity, diversity, and adaptation, etc.

Good grief. Don't we develop strength by facing and overcoming adversity - and not by avoiding it?

https://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/03/hey-parents-leave-those-kids-alone/358631/

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Vox clamantis in deserto.
 
I feel the whole germ/antibacterial thing is just out of control. When I grew up we were told to wash our hands after we used the bathroom and before we ate (or prepared food). I think that about does it, of course I have also been known to clean up a little after working on my cars. But the whole antibacterial lotion and spray everytime you touch anything is just a waste and an opportunity for the bacteria to build up immunity to such things, to each his own, but I think it is a little silly.

When we were kids we went outside in the summer with no shoes on till it got dark or after, then dirtied the bathwater with our filthy bodies.

I had an aunt who was a germaphobe even back then, overprotective parent as it looks like the article describes, here kids got sick a LOT more than my brothers and sisters and I.
 
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And we actually drank water out of the garden hoses, etc. !!! I'm still alive to write this :smile:
 
As a parent of a 10 year old, I don't buy into the germaphobe thing. Dog licks her hand and then she goes to eat something? So what. As long as she isn't doing something that would actually cause imminent and significant bodily harm, I'm content to let her learn through the school of hard knocks. Bumps and bruises are part of growing up.
 
"Bumps and bruises are part of growing up."

Exactly. And buying your kids whatever they want sometimes seems to be another way of "protecting them". Now we need to pass the word to the next generation.

 
I so agree with the germproofing, good job, everybody gets a medal, and do you want any other toys, Johnny, etc. thing that I want to puke. Oh darn it, I can't because I would be spreading those bad germs...
 
I'm wearing my mask while reading all these posts and will wash my hands; after all, it is PUBLIC forum :devilgrin:
 
Kids are supposed to fall out of trees, slide through mud puddles and hide from their parents in forts made from boxes. And talking to strangers, I've met more than one affable bum down by the tracks and hitchhiking. Danger is my business. I think most of us here are still kids even though most of us also probably qualify for social security.
 
Drank water out of the hose for the horse trough, walked in cow manure, ate veggies out of the fields, swam in a green water pond and lord knows what else! At the end of the day if us kids were dirty, a usual occurrence, we had to clean up in the cow barn as we weren't allowed in the house smelling like whatever! That was a cardinal rule!! Still here and going strong. Can't stand to be around people who are so germ conscious, they drive you crazy! BUT, to each his own. I'm 75, feel like 45 and just passed my 2nd class commercial flight physical, so I'm not in too bad of shape! Clean living! :highly_amused: PJ
 
"I think most of us here are still kids even though most of us also probably qualify for social security".

Richard - that sure describes me. Long ago I had a teacher who taught us "when you cease learning, you cease growing. And when you cease growing ... you begin to die." Amen to that.

I look around and see many young folks with all sorts of electronics and new clothes, jewelry, etc. "that daddy bought". I ask how much the smart phone cost: "I dunno - daddy pays for it". Compliment their new BMW - "Daddy gave it to me". Now they're in college - in a condo with brand new furniture: "Mom and dad got it all for me and pay the rent too". And 20% of our kids age 6-19 are obese.

Good grief. My parents were unemployed when I graduated high school, so I worked my way through college, paid $50/month for my one room student apartment, drove a ten year old car. I never inherited any money or property, tried to stay out of debt. I look around and see very few with similar stories these days.

argh

 
NutmegCT said:
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I look around and see many young folks with all sorts of electronics and new clothes, jewelry, etc. "that daddy bought". I ask how much the smart phone cost: "I dunno - daddy pays for it". Compliment their new BMW - "Daddy gave it to me". Now they're in college - in a condo with brand new furniture: "Mom and dad got it all for me and pay the rent too". And 20% of our kids age 6-19 are obese.

]
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I got it! Starve the rich ones and they'll eat the fat kids! :grin:


My parents couldn't even afford to give me my own name.....and to make it even worse, I'm not even sure what my name really is! :laugh: (true)

I don't have a problem with folks havin' stuff, I have a problem with them lookin' down on others that don't...
 
Finally something to back up what I've always thought, and I'm not even a parent... Looks like an excellent article! :hammer:
 
As a parent and grandparent, I believe this topic requires a moderate view point.

I want kids to be exposed to the real world, which sometimes means taking risks. But I don't see any value in taking pointless risks (or being ignorant of risks).

I don't particularly want kids to ride in the back of a pickup truck on the way to the dump (as my Dad allowed me to do). I'm mean it makes a good story, but in the scheme of things, it didn't benefit me in any way. All I can do is reflect back on it and think how stupid is was.

I'm glad to see that modern cars are more crashworthy and have proper seat belts and air bags. These are good things that can prevent tragedy. We didn't have this stuff "in the good old days". I think we're better off for the safety improvements.

I'm also glad to see greater emphasis on the dangers of smoking and poor nutrition. These are risks we did not understand as well when I was a kid (they used to have cigarette commercials that implied that smoking was "good for your digestion"). Many modern parents are more concerned about this sort of thing.....I see that as a positive.
My family doctor always smoked when we went for a visit (or when he came to the house). Maybe it sounds funny, but in retrospect, I think he set a horrible example.

I think it's great that kids and adults wear bike helmets. And if they are skating or doing other activities I think knee pads and other safety protection is a good idea. This doesn't "spoil" these activities one bit.

I understand the idea of helicopter parents and the issues of an overprotective "nanny environment".
But honestly, it's not really that common in modern kids. Most of my college kids are not much different than I was in general attitude. I'm sure lots of them have drunk from a garden hose and endured the normal scrapes and injures that all kids get.
I have one student right now who has very, very overprotective parents. He sort of pathetic and I feel sorry for him. But he's also pretty rare in my experience.
The idea that modern kids are all overprotected seems like an invented problem based on a small minority to me.
 
Speaking of protection - what really baffles me is when I see grown men riding down the street on a motor cycle wearing flip-flops and no helmet. Guys my age who you would THINK would know better!
 
Basil said:
Speaking of protection - what really baffles me is when I see grown men riding down the street on a motor cycle wearing flip-flops and no helmet. Guys my age who you would THINK would know better!
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One could also mention adults riding in small, open top cars, without using seatbelts.

As Nial refers to, there are lots of kids these days who are *not* overprotected. But it's certainly something to keep in mind.
 
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