Do kids still play outside in your neighborhood?
I remember when I was little (born in 1978 and by little I mean growing up during the 80s and such)... we used to play outside until it was dark. We played kick the can, murderball, star wars (we were the main characters), A-Team (we were the main characters), capture the flag, freeze tag, king of the hill (my parents had a nice hill we could fight for and throw each other down), cops and robbers, sword fights with plastic baseball bats, and we also played "bikes" where we just rode around on our bikes and explored now stuff outside the neighborhood, etc... and now... I hardly see any kids playing outside. Yes, it's cold at this time of year (at least here) but I hardly see any kids outside nowadays at all (even during the spring, summer, and fall... unless they're standing at a bus stop. What's going on? Is it video games????
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Yes.
But not much.0 -
Sadly, I don't think kids have a clue how to go outside and make their own fun anymore. There was a time when toys and video games where not what was needed. Imagination and a desire to find that next adventure were all that one needed to entertain ones self. Now, if you don't see it on a screen or a cell phone and it isn't on a computer it doesn't seem to exist. I for one would not have traded my childhood for todays for any price. You didn't see an entire society of overweight out of shape children either. Oh well, who am I to judge? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by swamp_thing
Sadly, I don't think kids have a clue how to go outside and make their own fun anymore. There was a time when toys and video games where not what was needed. Imagination and a desire to find that next adventure were all that one needed to entertain ones self. Now, if you don't see it on a screen or a cell phone and it isn't on a computer it doesn't seem to exist. I for one would not have traded my childhood for todays for any price. You didn't see an entire society of overweight out of shape children either. Oh well, who am I to judge?
Remember trying to get from one tree to another...and the grass was "lava"... those were the days.... [V]0 -
I was born the same year as you were steeltoe. My parents couldn't pay me to stay inside. We would play alot of the games you would just in different form such as "Army" instead of Star wars. We would also play football, basketball, and mostly baseball in the graveyard across the street.
I have two little girls and they aren't allowed to go outside and play without us out there sitting in the chairs. I just don't know our neighbors and don't trust other people at all. When I was a kid everyone knew everyone on my block.0 -
Tis true that times have changed and not for the better for our children. For me, 1955 was my beginning. In those times, parents did not have the constant concerns of where we were, because everyone in the neighborhood was like a parent. Do something wrong, they would all be the first to handle it. Let some pervert try to do something wrong and that too would be handled in short order. Now, for the sad truth, to a large extent many of us have allowed our neighborhoods to decline due to our lack of time and closeness as an extended family. Am I wrong? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Kodiakk
I was born the same year as you were steeltoe. My parents couldn't pay me to stay inside. We would play alot of the games you would just in different form such as "Army" instead of Star wars. We would also play football, basketball, and mostly baseball in the graveyard across the street.
I have two little girls and they aren't allowed to go outside and play without us out there sitting in the chairs. I just don't know our neighbors and don't trust other people at all. When I was a kid everyone knew everyone on my block.
I'm the same way... I dont' have kids yet, but when I do, I don't think that I will let them out of my sight (or a trusted friend/relative's sight). Times have changed... too many freaks out there. [V]0 -
quote:Originally posted by swamp_thing
Now, for the sad truth, to a large extent many of us have allowed our neighborhoods to decline due to our lack of time and closeness as an extended family. Am I wrong?
Very true.0 -
quote:Originally posted by swamp_thing
Tis true that times have changed and not for the better for our children. For me, 1955 was my beginning. In those times, parents did not have the constant concerns of where we were, because everyone in the neighborhood was like a parent. Do something wrong, they would all be the first to handle it. Let some pervert try to do something wrong and that too would be handled in short order. Now, for the sad truth, to a large extent many of us have allowed our neighborhoods to decline due to our lack of time and closeness as an extended family. Am I wrong?
'
I think that you hit on something there... with the entire neighborhood being a type of extended family back then. I'm lucky that I live in a neighborhood with a lot of retired people (one's an ex cop who used to be a real hard a$$ back in the day, but he's one of the coolest people I have ever met). Hell, many of my retired neighbors will tell me what time the mail was delivered to my house, or if someone knocked on my door while I wasn't home... but not all of them... there's a few rental properties that have about 25 mexicans living in an 1100 square foot house nearby, and it bothers me. [V]0 -
Kids and parents are too busy nowadays. Everbody is going every whichaway, doing their own things. Kids don't have time to play outside anymore. 0 -
We don't live in a subdivision but I can't imagine letting my 9 year old daughter stay out unsupervised until dark like I did,even if we did live in a neighborhood. Maybe I'm too paranoid or over protective. When I was her age back in the '70's we played kickball, dodgeball, rode bikes, ect. until our parents had to come get us well after dark. One of our friend's mom had a big bell in the front yard and she would ring it when it was time for him to go home. About the closest thing my daughter has to that is when we go camping with our friends (there's about 10 kids) and they get to ride their bikes, play flashlight tag, ect)like we did. My daughter does play outside in our yard but it's not the same. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by ljwrench
We don't live in a subdivision but I can't imagine letting my 9 year old daughter stay out unsupervised until dark like I did,even if we did live in a neighborhood. Maybe I'm too paranoid or over protective. When I was her age back in the '70's we played kickball, dodgeball, rode bikes, ect. until our parents had to come get us well after dark. One of our friend's mom had a big bell in the front yard and she would ring it when it was time for him to go home. About the closest thing my daughter has to that is when we go camping with our friends (there's about 10 kids) and they get to ride their bikes, play flashlight tag, ect)like we did. My daughter does play outside in our yard but it's not the same.
That's what scares me... it's not the same... My wife and I are debating on bringing another life or two into this world... and I don't know if they will appreciate it the way that we did... will they have fun the way we did? Sadly, I think not. Their fun will be in front of a video game... unless I suddenly strike it rich and can offer them the security and outdoor fun that we had as kids... during a time where a parent didn't need to be so protective... [V]0 -
Plenty of those little hooligans runnin around my neighborhood. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by sav99
Plenty of those little hooligans runnin around my.
Oh God, you're that guy... we had one when I was growing up... His name was (he's long dead now) Mr. Crabtree. I swear that was his name. All I remember is him yelling at us during the early 80s... KEEP YOUR BIKES OFF MY GRASS!!!!! [:D]0 -
Steeltoe1978- Maybe it is the same. We don't know what is going on in their little innocent minds. I can't speak for anybody but myself but I know I've gotten more cynical in my advanced age of 39. The memories that my little girl are making right now could be the same as mine when I was her age. Who know's? I think I've had too much wine. I'm getting all philosophical. 0 -
Yes...they do in our small town, but we've also had quite a few attempted abductions. I do not let our daughter play outside without direct supervision. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by ljwrench
Steeltoe1978- Maybe it is the same. We don't know what is going on in their little innocent minds. I can't speak for anybody but myself but I know I've gotten more cynical in my advanced age of 39. The memories that my little girl are making right now could be the same as mine when I was her age. Who know's? I think I've had too much wine. I'm getting all philosophical.
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Speak your mind man.... I'm all for it... any reason that makes me want to have kids during what I consider to be a crappy time, I'm all for. [;)][:)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by ECC
Yes...they do in our small town, but we've also had quite a few attempted abductions. I do not let our daughter play outside without direct supervision.
And I would NEVER allow my "future kid(s)" to play outside alone either.... that's what's eating at me... if our parents could let us go play when we were little, and now it's come to this with all the crazed perverts out there... what will happen with our kids' kids? Will it keep getting worse? If so, I'm not sure I want to bring another life or two into this world. [V]0 -
quote:Originally posted by steeltoe1978
quote:Originally posted by sav99
Plenty of those little hooligans runnin around my.
Oh God, you're that guy... we had one when I was growing up... His name was (he's long dead now) Mr. Crabtree. I swear that was his name. All I remember is him yelling at us during the early 80s... KEEP YOUR BIKES OFF MY GRASS!!!!! [:D]
Had one in ours named Mr.Stumpner, old German guy that used to keep the ball if it went is his yard. [:D]0 -
Are the risks (perverts, child molsters, ect) any worse now than then? I don't know. I think that due to the internet, cable news channels, etc we are more aware of it. Who knows, we might have had several perverts living in my neighborhood when I was growing up. I wouldn't let this discourage you from having kid's. There are lot's of way's for kid's nowaday's to have just as much fun as we did. We don't keep our daughter locked up in our house. We have ZERO video games. She play's outside just as much as I did BUT she doesn't go outside without a trusted adult keeping an eye on things. Buy a tent or camper like we did and go camping on the weekends. It's a lot of safe fun and your kids will have great memories of it when they grow up. Procreate and have fun. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by ljwrench
Are the risks (perverts, child molsters, ect) any worse now than then? I don't know. I think that due to the internet, cable news channels, etc we are more aware of it. Who knows, we might have had several perverts living in my neighborhood when I was growing up. I wouldn't let this discourage you from having kid's. There are lot's of way's for kid's nowaday's to have just as much fun as we did. We don't keep our daughter locked up in our house. We have ZERO video games. She play's outside just as much as I did BUT she doesn't go outside without a trusted adult keeping an eye on things. Buy a tent or camper like we did and go camping on the weekends. It's a lot of safe fun and your kids will have great memories of it when they grow up. Procreate and have fun.
At least I'll have fun practicing!!![:D][:D]0 -
Amen Brother!!!! We can't have kids anymore but I keep trying!!![:D][:D][:D] 0 -
I too was born in 78, and Remember the exact days you describe... Almost makes you wonder what page of revelations we are on.. 0 -
I was born in 1959 and when i was growing up my friends and i were constantly building something, whether it was club houses, go karts, modifying our bicycles (baseball cards held on with close pins in the spokes), park baseball, touch football or whatever. Most people couldn't afford little league, so we just threw games together at a local park.
Now a days everything is an organized event, baseball, hockey, football etc.
The kids would rather sit and play computer games than go outside and play. I hated being stuck in the house when I was a kid!
Who else feels the way I do?0 -
Yes, but most of them are young and have not discoved video games yet. 0 -
I was born in '44 - 1944 NOT 1844 (smart ass), so lived pretty much outdoors all year 'round in Ohoho.
My Kids have pretty much grown up out doors and/or in the country. Rode horses, camped, stayed out late (til they got cold or hungry).
The smartest thing I ever did was to jock my high-speed, fast-track computer industry career in order to raise the Kids in out-of-town and outdoors.
To do that cost me more money than you can imagine, but was well worth it.
Doug0 -
Yep, up here in the Glorious NorthBest, kids still go out in the woods to build "Forts", still tool around on bicycles, and leave them lying in the street/on the neighbor's grass, and so on.
Some parents are getting more protective, and check out the neighborhood before allowing the kids some "play room", but it still happens.
I remember after one Christmas, I mounted an odometer on my bicycle, and how surprised my Dad was to find that I was bicycling over 300 miles a week - this was in the 60s. I only came home if it was dark.
That is about what most of the kids in our small neighborhood still do. Only Thirteen houses, in the deep woods, along a creek, and two blocks from the Puget Sound. Biggest threat around here are the Bears.0 -
Yes, my kids play outside, I even let than play in the front yard. There is only one entrance to our housing complex and we live down the longest cul-de-sac at the farthest corner from the entrance. Nobody ever drives down our street and the kids can ride their bikes in the street without fear. But I still keep a close eye on them when they our out there. 0 -
NO
only time you see them out is when there causing trouble or practicing that gang want to be walk.WITH THEM BAGGYASS CLOTHS
BUNCH OF 13 YEAR OLD (??}?+@?) PUNKS
when i was building the last chevelle
did have one or two start showing an interest in working on cars[:)]
didnt last long[:(]0 -
I've got a failed gated community next to me. (started as a 55+ and now is rentals and repo's with mostly younger residents) The kids escape over the dike that is supposed to keep us lowlifes out of view and play with the kids in my area. Last year it was war with the boys against the girls forts with screaming,dirt clod battles,and mass destruction! lol
This year they are congregating in the same wooded area together in the dusk! [:0]
Never see an adult except for a couple of early morning dog walkers.
Allen0 -
Yes, that small town feeling still lives on 0
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