| I had pretty much the same experience as a kid (I'm 22). As far back as I can remember we were pretty much outside until 'late'. I think the unofficial rule was to check in at streetlights on, and after dark be in only one yard. Most of my best childhood memories are of night games and doing really dumb things around the neighborhood. We didn't have gunpowder, but we did have sparklers and gasoline. Turns out you can make pretty impressive explosives with that (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1E2cNPOnjM&feature=relat...). It seemed most of the parents didn't pay attention to what we did, or at least condoned it. I know my one friends parent knew we got really into blowing stuff up, and just told us to "Be safe". In the last 5-10 years I've seen a complete shift even within the families that were initially lax. My little brother and his friends got chewed out a while ago for dumpster diving a small LCD and other stuff. The "be safe" mom now watches the neighborhood for suspicious activity. So, even though by all rights we should have had privileges restricted, that was never really an issue until highschool. All the younger kids I know are on a pretty tight leash, and they don't get into nearly the same level of mischief as we did. My old neighborhood friends are probably some of the best people I know. We're all really close, and that's partly from all the stuff we did and still do. Taking risks with the support of a group softens failures, makes successes that more awesome, and pulls the group together. I can say without a doubt that being able to explore and take those risks is why I understand my limits yet am always trying to push them. I almost completely agree with the article (except maybe the depression/anxiety) that free play is important, and in my opinion more valuable than early academic education. /rant |