Great article... Thanks Blake. We might accept a few more phobias in our children in exchange for fewer injuries. But the final irony is that our close attention to safety has not in fact made a tremendous difference in the number of accidents children have. According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, which monitors hospital visits, the frequency of emergency-room visits related to playground equipment, including home equipment, in 1980 was 156,000, or one visit per 1,452 Americans. In 2012, it was 271,475, or one per 1,156 Americans. Its as if we dont really give our children a chance to grow up anymore by exploring risks and risk assessment in real life. We teach them to mimic grown up behavior rather than become grown ups. In spite of all our advocacy for safety and billions of dollars spent on regulations, we still have about the same number of accidents resulting in both injuries and deaths. Like shootings that havent risen over the decades, and child abductions that havent risen, our attitude of even if it saves only one life, then wouldnt it be worth it? has stifled the maturation of an entire generation. Yes, thats a generalization, and nobody I know would admit to being party to that - but since nobody I know would admit it, and yet its happening, I think a little introspection is in order: Was I over-protective of my kids? Did they ever get a chance to grow up?
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 14:27:17 +0000
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