Taking a Balanced Approach to Risk in Childhood: Why and How

When people say that children grow up faster today, they are confusing appearance with reality. Children may be avid consumers of adult culture. They may adopt adult mannerisms and styles. They certainly get to grips with new technology far more easily than grown-ups. But when it comes to everyday freedoms--like walking to school alone, or meeting friends in the park--a very different picture emerges. The fact is that for the last 30 or 40 years or longer, across the developed world, the horizons of childhood have been shrinking, and adult control and oversight is becoming the norm. Why has this happened? The author argues that the causes are many and varied, and cannot simply be blamed on parents. Neighbourhoods are more dominated by cars, and families are more dependent on them. Changing family working patterns mean fewer parents are around to watch over children, and more children are in formal childcare. In many areas, people do not know their neighbours, and there is greater fear of crime. All these factors, and others, reinforce the logic of containment. In this article, the author discusses the need of a balanced approach and how to take a balanced approach to risk in childhood.