The Future Of Play: Why The Kids Stopped Playing.

The American Journal of Play has found a correlation between the decline of play in the past 70 years, and increasing rates of depression and anxiety amongst young people. What does this tell us about how the experience of childhood has changed and its perceived value in shaping happy, well- adjusted adults?

Highlights

• In the last half-century, and in response to economic and political drivers, the world has become more ‘adultised’ — resulting in an increasingly risk-averse, less child-friendly society.
• But young people have never had it so good — or have they? Although Generation Alpha is expected to be the most educated, wealthiest and tech- equipped. These advantages will not be evenly spread. The gap between the Haves and Have Nots is greatening.
• The ‘indoor generation’ phenomena has risen, in part, because children's ‘safe spaces’ have become increasingly under threat.
• One of the hardest hit groups from austerity, young people, will be responsible for dealing with an unprecedented series of crises, from the economy to the environment.
• Unique to their age cohort, they are less optimistic about their future than previous generations and trust in large institutions is at an all-time low.
• Future skills required for the economy and society, such as creativity and empathy, are being coaxed out of education. Paradoxically, that is what politicians are arguing we need more of.
• In 2018, more people in the US were killed at schools that those deployed as members of the military.
• 60% of all urban dwellers will be under the age of 18 by 2030.
• Studies from the World Health Organization show we think we spend 66% of our time indoors. Actually, it’s around 90%.
• In the UK in 2017, children in need hit an unprecedented 72,670 due to poverty, lack of housing and neglect.
• 65% of 18–25 years old want schools to teach them how to have an ‘emotional relationship’.
• In 2017, Demos found that 37% of young adults in the UK feel that British politics does not reflect the issues that matter to them.

Scope

Modern society is witnessing many contradictory trends. We are obsessed with well being and youth — the wellness industry is worth $3.7 trillion globally — and yet our young people have the highest reported levels of suicide and anxiety. In March 2018, Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee, cited a series of reports showing a collective neglect of children, and their wellbeing in reverse. Are we preparing future generations to cope with life? And why paradoxically, are we so eager to accelerate to adulthood, yet remain youthful? Are we afraid of childhood as a distinct experience? Could we even be afraid of children? We start to explore what a decline in play means.

Revaluing childhood

Robin Bevan of Southend High School for Boys says that “for the first time, children are less optimistic about their prospects than their parents with Brexit and the housing crisis contributing factors. There is not a dominant narrative of a better future in the political mainstream. This bleak picture adds to feelings of hopelessness.” To help, he is urging for “the daily school experience at schools to be “more than just lessons”, with exposure to plays and concerts.

Whilst there is a greater appreciation of the difficulties facing future generations, how well do our institutions perform in making the transition to adulthood and teaching life skills? ‘The Talk’, by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, found that society is failing to educate young people, with 70% wishing they had received more information from parents in how to develop a deep, caring relationship with another person. ‘The Adulting School’ (www.adultingcollective.com) is an initiative in the US, set up to offer courses in finance, DIY and navigating relationships.

The British Youth Council found that young people are not politically apathetic, rather “They are incredibly passionate about making change.” They don’t feel represented and at times, marginalised by the current political system, which results in them questioning its value. Young people prefer political activities like demonstrating, where they feel direct involvement. ‘UpRising’ is a UK-wide youth leadership development charity and ‘Votes at 16’, is a campaign aimed at getting people politically involved at a younger age. Research by the Intergenerational Foundation suggested that between 10 and 83 MPs are vulnerable to surges in turnout of younger constituents.

Building Family friendly cities

Growing up indoors is changing the nature of play and well-being. Dangers, like pollution or busy roads, lead parents to keep loved ones ‘safe at home.’ Yet, air inside some buildings can be up to five times more polluted than outdoors. For urban societies, the pursuit of feeling good predominantly resides indoors: socialising, entertainment. Ophthalmologist Russell Foster observes that “we’ve gone from being an outdoor species to spending most of our time in dim, dark caves.” YouGov suggests modern indoor living could not only have a detrimental effect on our health and wellbeing, but detach “us from the natural world that has been the driving force behind our evolution as a species.” Rapid urbanisation has made cities less child-friendly.

Arup’s ‘Designing for Urban Childhoods’ report found the key indicators of a cities performance are 1) the time children spend playing outdoors, 2) their ability to get around independently and 3) contact with nature. This applies to all city dwellers. Author Tim Gill believes the planning system is geared around ‘cars, housebuilding and the economy — rather than the environment, health and quality of life’. He blames short-term policies. If cities do not address these factors, they risk the economic and cultural consequences of families moving elsewhere.

Childhood friendly city design is gaining momentum. A reclaim of public spaces has lead to greater community engagement. In Kentucky USA, during hot weather residents are encouraged to play in the water fountains, rather than being fined. The authorities of Rotterdam, Holland, once voted the least attractive city to grow up in, have invested heavily in projects including a city park forest to encourage play in nature. It attracts 35,00 visitors a year.

Overworked and underplayed

A modern obsession with testing has made schools results factories. Education has reoriented around easy to measure subjects, like science and maths. The BBC found investment in subjects like sport, art and music has been slashed to make way for maths and science. There have even been incidents of ‘off-rolling’ children who don’t prop up league tables. Whist it helps politicians and school governors justify their position. This approach is superficial. It has also led to a decline in creativity. A critical skill needed to solve problems. Anyone can measure an equation. How do politicians propose to measure innovation and empathy?

Netflix’s ‘Take Your Pills’ documentary gives an insightful look at how different types of people — from students to athletes — are struggling in a hyper-competitive society, using drugs like Adderall to compete. The NHS has reported an increase in self harm amongst teenagers in the UK. Surely there’s a connection?

Many children’s talents are simply not appreciated or nurtured. If education does not accomodate a more holistic view of the child, many risk being left behind, and society is worse off overall.

Children need the right environment to stay engaged in the classroom. Lime Tree Primary Academy in Manchester used architecture to foster better learning. They took away the corridors to create space, designing the building to be integrated with nature, part of their educational philosophy in fostering student engagement with the external world. At Stockholm Design Week 2018, a collection envisioned a future where children are required to study for extended hours within densely filled classrooms. Slightly depressing, however the resulting pieces encourage a playful and active learning experience, designed to help kids stay focused.

Facing the future

A complete issue. Here are some of our ideas to inform a better, more optimistic future.

1. New narratives
   We need a hopeful, optimistic and inclusive narrative for the future. Engage young people in politics. Allow them to have a voice in policy and social change. Accommodate for different societal groups, especially those less privileged who need support. Take a more holistic preventative approach to youth homelessness and or gang related violence.
2. Rethink school
   Enough with vanity metrics. Teach kids critical and creative thinking and educate the whole thinking, feeling person. Make nature a critical part of the curriculum. Give teachers back their authority and empower them. Use architecture to foster productive learning environments.
3. Build family friendly spaces
   Centre planning policy around people and the planet. Make cities more accessible to families and children. Encourage greater use of public spaces and community engagement.

In the past, the youth always wins. We owe it to future generations to hear them.