Why parents don't let there children to play?

Parents who do not let their children play freely are doing more harm than good, experts warn

 

By Fahim

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PUSHY parents who do not let their children play freely are doing more harm than good, experts warn.

Overprotective mothers and fathers who restrict unstructured play can increase the risk of depression in their children and may even cause suicide.

Such parents – branded “hovering helicopters” by researchers – prevent their children from playing outside, where they might build dens, climb trees or explore the countryside.

The American Journal of Play asked a group of experts to investigate the near-extinction of free play and its effects on children and society.

They said that without free outdoor play, children are prone to obesity, poor physical health and are unable to develop social skills.

Peter Gray, professor of psychology at Boston College, said: “Over the last 50 years opportunities for children to play freely have declined dramatically in the United States and other developed nations.

Parents who do not let their children play freely are doing more harm than good, experts warn

“That decline continues, with serious negative consequences for children’s physical, mental, and social development.”

Calling for the restoration of free play, Professor Gray said there was a clear correlation between its decline and the rise of depression, suicide and narcissism among children.

Mixed age play was also beneficial, he said, because older children were able to teach younger ones new skills, while also learning themselves.

Lenore Skenazy, author of a book called Free-Range Kids, blamed protective parents, organised sports and fears about “stranger danger”, as well as computer games and social media for the decline of free play.