Thanks to John Stossel, here is a half hour of me getting the chance to make all the points swirling around in my head and heart:
- How we got so afraid for our kids.
- What it’s doing to them — and us.
- How these misconceptions about kids, crime, and child development feed into crazy norms and even crazier laws.
- AND the ways we can beat back the culture of fear and distrust (which is what it all boils down to).
You’ll hear many shout-outs to Let Grow, the nonprofit that grew out of Free-Range Kids, and the work we’re doing to make childhood independence easy, normal and legal again! And of course, you can always watch at double speed! – L.
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Children are losing more than just their freedom. With this loss, they also lose their “classroom” for learning how to navigate the real world. Childhood provides a crucial period for practicing how to handle smaller disappointments and hardships in a relatively safe environment. These experiences are essential for building the tools and resilience needed to tackle the larger challenges and setbacks that come with adulthood.
When children are not given the opportunity to practice and build these skills, they are left unprepared to face the complexities of the future. Without this “training ground,” even minor problems in adulthood can feel overwhelming and insurmountable. It’s like asking someone to run a marathon without ever having learned how to walk.
This lack of preparation contributes significantly to the rise in depression and anxiety among children and adolescents. With fewer opportunities to practice problem-solving and develop emotional endurance, they grow up without the confidence or coping mechanisms necessary to handle stress. As a result, they face the looming challenges of adulthood with a heightened sense of fear and inadequacy.
By sheltering children too much, we inadvertently rob them of the chance to develop resilience. They need the freedom to face small, age-appropriate difficulties—whether it’s dealing with a lost game, resolving conflicts with friends, or learning to adapt to unexpected changes. These smaller challenges serve as stepping stones to emotional maturity and mental strength.
If we continue to shield children from discomfort, we may be setting them up for greater struggles later in life. Allowing them to experience and overcome manageable difficulties now can help them grow into more confident, capable, and emotionally resilient adults who are better equipped to thrive in the face of life’s inevitable challenges.