The Last Child in the Forest

The Last Child in the Forest
By: ForestWander

In the days of not so long ago; the thought of getting to go outside and play had such a pull that nothing could stop a child. Whether it was rain, snow, sleet, cold or wind these words would echo through America's homes on any given afternoon or weekend, "Mom can I go outside and play"? With expecting hopes the children would listen for the reply "sure, but stay where I can see you"!

In today's world however grounding for punishment is not making a child stay in their room and not get to go outside; it is taking away whatever the latest video console or virtual reality player is for a week's time. Is this not a means of brainwashing our children right before our eyes? If all they are exposed to are preconceived images of what reality is, then are they not being shaped to a reality that is made by men rather than how they are naturally intended to grow up?
Sure there are video games that have real interaction and provide a better work out than most of us would get at the local gym. However, the work out is synthesized by pixels and the movements calculated 1000 times per second by sensors attached to the body. None of this fosters a genuine experience with fresh air that has just left the leaves of the surrounding trees and vegetation nor can it provide the natural benefits of true sunlight shining down from the sky above.

With families becoming less and less involved with nature and clinging more to technology and convenience where does that leave the children of future generations? In this humble writers opinion it leaves them obese, unhealthy and un-natural children which are poorly prepared for reality in the event that technology fails to meet its expectations. Child obesity in America has risen to a staggering 16% and to an even higher 33% in adults which causes a domino affect for future generations. Unhealthy weight gain, poor diet and lack of exercise contribute to over 300,000 deaths each year. Are we leading our children down a path that is irreversible once it has gone so far? Is there still hope?