Youth mental health crisis

[Marvin the Martian]

The author of a NY Times story on a crisis in mental health among youth was on Smerconish this morning. Here is the Smerconish interview:



And here is the NYTimes story.

Redirect Notice

So smoking, drinking, drugs, sex, and tv watching are all down among kids, why are depression and suicide going up?

In the interview the author is not willing to say smart phones/internet ARE the cause, but they are at least part of the problem. Kids are not in face-to-face contact as much with their peers.

But in the article another point exists that did not come up, the average age of puberty continues to decline. Adolescence is a tough time with huge desires to "fit in". But the body may be starting that now before the brain has developed a strong sense of self. Combined with the internet this can be a big problem.

Google does show that across the west puberty is starting earlier and earlier.

I would suggest keeping phones from kids, but that "fitting in" problem raises its head, being the only kid in a class without a phone will cause problems.

This link says the current age in US and Canada is between 9 and 11 for girls, https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/...these changes occur,signs of puberty in girls.

 

[mcmurtry66]

The author of a NY Times story on a crisis in mental health among youth was on Smerconish this morning. Here is the Smerconish interview:

View embedded media

And here is the NYTimes story.

Redirect Notice

So smoking, drinking, drugs, sex, and tv watching are all down among kids, why are depression and suicide going up?

In the interview the author is not willing to say smart phones/internet ARE the cause, but they are at least part of the problem. Kids are not in face-to-face contact as much with their peers.

But in the article another point exists that did not come up, the average age of puberty continues to decline. Adolescence is a tough time with huge desires to "fit in". But the body may be starting that now before the brain has developed a strong sense of self. Combined with the internet this can be a big problem.

Google does show that across the west puberty is starting earlier and earlier.

I would suggest keeping phones from kids, but that "fitting in" problem raises its head, being the only kid in a class without a phone will cause problems.

This link says the current age in US and Canada is between 9 and 11 for girls, https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/...these changes occur,signs of puberty in girls.

Awful. I hate these phones. And correct preventing your kid from having one leaves them out. They are all on group chats etc. Not long ago I put up a tent in the backyard and my daughter had 3 friends over for a campout. I went to check on them a couple of times. Every time they were all on their phones. Not playing in the yard, making stuff, etc. Just on their phones. I never see kids in the park playing pickup anymore. Or practicing any sport to be honest. Alone.

And yes puberty is earlier. Very scary and problematic. It's not easy being a kid today, or at least not as easy

 

[BCCHoosier]

Awful. I hate these phones. And correct preventing your kid from having one leaves them out. They are all on group chats etc. Not long ago I put up a tent in the backyard and my daughter had 3 friends over for a campout. I went to check on them a couple of times. Every time they were all on their phones. Not playing in the yard, making stuff, etc. Just on their phones. I never see kids in the park playing pickup anymore. Or practicing any sport to be honest. Alone.

And yes puberty is earlier. Very scary and problematic. It's not easy being a kid today, or at least not as easy

Yep. Their whole lives are wrapped up in those things. They know the location of friends, sleepovers they weren't invited to, pictures of other families in vacation while they're stuck home, etc.

I don't think anyone fully understands the trouble these things cause. Between the depression and lack of exercise for so many, I really fear for the future.

 

[mcmurtry66]

Yep. Their whole lives are wrapped up in those things. They know the location of friends, sleepovers they weren't invited to, pictures of other families in vacation while they're stuck home, etc.

I don't think anyone fully understands the trouble these things cause. Between the depression and lack of exercise for so many, I really fear for the future.

Exactly. And if they are bullied or something embarrassing happens at school it follows them home. THey can never escape with technology

 

[Spartans9312]

The author of a NY Times story on a crisis in mental health among youth was on Smerconish this morning. Here is the Smerconish interview:

View embedded media

And here is the NYTimes story.

Redirect Notice

So smoking, drinking, drugs, sex, and tv watching are all down among kids, why are depression and suicide going up?

In the interview the author is not willing to say smart phones/internet ARE the cause, but they are at least part of the problem. Kids are not in face-to-face contact as much with their peers.

But in the article another point exists that did not come up, the average age of puberty continues to decline. Adolescence is a tough time with huge desires to "fit in". But the body may be starting that now before the brain has developed a strong sense of self. Combined with the internet this can be a big problem.

Google does show that across the west puberty is starting earlier and earlier.

I would suggest keeping phones from kids, but that "fitting in" problem raises its head, being the only kid in a class without a phone will cause problems.

This link says the current age in US and Canada is between 9 and 11 for girls, https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=te7260#:~:text=Most of these changes occur,signs of puberty in girls.

My son got a phone at 16…he was the last one on his class to get a phone.
My daughter got a phone at 13…she was next to last.
Yes…I’m probably a bad parent.

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

The author of a NY Times story on a crisis in mental health among youth was on Smerconish this morning. Here is the Smerconish interview:

View embedded media

And here is the NYTimes story.

Redirect Notice

So smoking, drinking, drugs, sex, and tv watching are all down among kids, why are depression and suicide going up?

In the interview the author is not willing to say smart phones/internet ARE the cause, but they are at least part of the problem. Kids are not in face-to-face contact as much with their peers.

But in the article another point exists that did not come up, the average age of puberty continues to decline. Adolescence is a tough time with huge desires to "fit in". But the body may be starting that now before the brain has developed a strong sense of self. Combined with the internet this can be a big problem.

Google does show that across the west puberty is starting earlier and earlier.

I would suggest keeping phones from kids, but that "fitting in" problem raises its head, being the only kid in a class without a phone will cause problems.

This link says the current age in US and Canada is between 9 and 11 for girls, https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=te7260#:~:text=Most of these changes occur,signs of puberty in girls.

“yea and let’s lock them down, cancel all of their social activities and make them mask up.

that will help the trend”

-NYers

 

[Joe_Hoopsier]

smoking, drinking, drugs, sex, and tv watching are all down among kids, why are depression and suicide going up?

Ummm, because Smoking, Drinking, Drugs, sex and TV watching are all down? duhhh. God made those things so we would be HAPPY!

 

[iuwclurker]

The author of a NY Times story on a crisis in mental health among youth was on Smerconish this morning. Here is the Smerconish interview:

View embedded media

And here is the NYTimes story.

Redirect Notice

So smoking, drinking, drugs, sex, and tv watching are all down among kids, why are depression and suicide going up?

In the interview the author is not willing to say smart phones/internet ARE the cause, but they are at least part of the problem. Kids are not in face-to-face contact as much with their peers.

But in the article another point exists that did not come up, the average age of puberty continues to decline. Adolescence is a tough time with huge desires to "fit in". But the body may be starting that now before the brain has developed a strong sense of self. Combined with the internet this can be a big problem.

Google does show that across the west puberty is starting earlier and earlier.

I would suggest keeping phones from kids, but that "fitting in" problem raises its head, being the only kid in a class without a phone will cause problems.

This link says the current age in US and Canada is between 9 and 11 for girls, https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=te7260#:~:text=Most of these changes occur,signs of puberty in girls.

Key detail from the article: “Linda and her husband, Tony, both of whom had busy work schedules.”

The article also talks about increasing loneliness. I doubt there is anything more psychologically debilitating in life than loneliness. In my experience, maintaining a minimally adequate communication line with a child requires a huge investment by each parent. I don’t have any statistics but I doubt most working parents are willing to make that investment. I’m not talking about getting your child to use a Schoolology app. I’m talking about establishing and maintaining a human relationship between two people.

 

[GuyDatHoo]

The author of a NY Times story on a crisis in mental health among youth was on Smerconish this morning. Here is the Smerconish interview:

View embedded media

And here is the NYTimes story.

Redirect Notice

So smoking, drinking, drugs, sex, and tv watching are all down among kids, why are depression and suicide going up?

In the interview the author is not willing to say smart phones/internet ARE the cause, but they are at least part of the problem. Kids are not in face-to-face contact as much with their peers.

But in the article another point exists that did not come up, the average age of puberty continues to decline. Adolescence is a tough time with huge desires to "fit in". But the body may be starting that now before the brain has developed a strong sense of self. Combined with the internet this can be a big problem.

Google does show that across the west puberty is starting earlier and earlier.

I would suggest keeping phones from kids, but that "fitting in" problem raises its head, being the only kid in a class without a phone will cause problems.

This link says the current age in US and Canada is between 9 and 11 for girls, https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=te7260#:~:text=Most of these changes occur,signs of puberty in girls.

You were generally speaking a lockdown/ zoom school advocate no?

Please spare me your crocodile tears.

On a serious note we need to learn how to live with the phones because they’re not going away. Johann Hari compares it to leaded paint and gasoline. We didn’t stop using those things when we realized they were dangerous, we just removed the harmful parts. Apple/ Samsung/Facebook/ SnapChat/ Instagram, etc. could easily re-engineer their apps/ software to drive more human to human contact, but they haven’t figured out how to monetize it yet.

I’m hopeful they will, even if it means legislation that forces them to find a way. It is a public health issue imo.

 

[DANC]

Yep. Their whole lives are wrapped up in those things. They know the location of friends, sleepovers they weren't invited to, pictures of other families in vacation while they're stuck home, etc.

I don't think anyone fully understands the trouble these things cause. Between the depression and lack of exercise for so many, I really fear for the future.

The future is here. Look at 20 somethings today - they're a lost generation.

 

[DANC]

Key detail from the article: “Linda and her husband, Tony, both of whom had busy work schedules.”

The article also talks about increasing loneliness. I doubt there is anything more psychologically debilitating in life than loneliness. In my experience, maintaining a minimally adequate communication line with a child requires a huge investment by each parent. I don’t have any statistics but I doubt most working parents are willing to make that investment. I’m not talking about getting your child to use a Schoolology app. I’m talking about establishing and maintaining a human relationship between two people.

I agree with your premise, but don't agree that parents 'today' aren't connnecting with their kids.

"Back in the day" - in you youth, parents weren't as involved in their kids' lives as they are today. We were out all day with no communication with any parents. We did our own thing, which I realize is almost impossible today. I don't ever remember going to my parents for help with homework - although they did make me write the multiplication tables 100 time - up to 12 - in 3rd grade when I couldn't immediately answer their multiplication questions.

And both my parents worked.

The term 'helicopter parents' came about in the 90s, when parents like me take a greater interest in their children's activities. I'm not saying all parents do that, but most of the parents I know did.

 

[Marvin the Martian]

You were generally speaking a lockdown/ zoom school advocate no?

Please spare me your crocodile tears.

On a serious note we need to learn how to live with the phones because they’re not going away. Johann Hari compares it to leaded paint and gasoline. We didn’t stop using those things when we realized they were dangerous, we just removed the harmful parts. Apple/ Samsung/Facebook/ SnapChat/ Instagram, etc. could easily re-engineer their apps/ software to drive more human to human contact, but they haven’t figured out how to monetize it yet.

I’m hopeful they will, even if it means legislation that forces them to find a way. It is a public health issue imo.

So you didn't listen to the author who quite clearly said this began BEFORE COVID.

That said, it became clear in fall of 2020 that school wasn't a problem. So I did support Zoom for kids with health problems, and largely masking, go back and see if you can find where I said schools should be shut down (except in cases of terrible outbreaks which we have LONG done for the flu and Norwalk virus).

 

[iuwclurker]

I agree with your premise, but don't agree that parents 'today' aren't connnecting with their kids.

"Back in the day" - in you youth, parents weren't as involved in their kids' lives as they are today. We were out all day with no communication with any parents. We did our own thing, which I realize is almost impossible today. I don't ever remember going to my parents for help with homework - although they did make me write the multiplication tables 100 time - up to 12 - in 3rd grade when I couldn't immediately answer their multiplication questions.

And both my parents worked.

The term 'helicopter parents' came about in the 90s, when parents like me take a greater interest in their children's activities. I'm not saying all parents do that, but most of the parents I know did.

I need to clarify one thing from my post. When I say most parents, I’m talking about most parents of troubled, lonely kids.

I was also outside from the end of school until dinner time. As soon as my mom rang the bell for dinner it was family time until bedtime (until we got old enough to do our own thing in the evening). We never missed a dinner together.

But speaking of technology interfering with face-to-face interaction, my parents refused to buy a television till The youngest of us four children were in school.

 

[iuwclurker]

The author of a NY Times story on a crisis in mental health among youth was on Smerconish this morning. Here is the Smerconish interview:

View embedded media

And here is the NYTimes story.

Redirect Notice

So smoking, drinking, drugs, sex, and tv watching are all down among kids, why are depression and suicide going up?

In the interview the author is not willing to say smart phones/internet ARE the cause, but they are at least part of the problem. Kids are not in face-to-face contact as much with their peers.

But in the article another point exists that did not come up, the average age of puberty continues to decline. Adolescence is a tough time with huge desires to "fit in". But the body may be starting that now before the brain has developed a strong sense of self. Combined with the internet this can be a big problem.

Google does show that across the west puberty is starting earlier and earlier.

I would suggest keeping phones from kids, but that "fitting in" problem raises its head, being the only kid in a class without a phone will cause problems.

This link says the current age in US and Canada is between 9 and 11 for girls, https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=te7260#:~:text=Most of these changes occur,signs of puberty in girls.

Another factor is our current society often doesn’t provide a context in which young people earn their keep in anyway. In the sense of contributing to their family or society. By contrast, children who grow up on farms generally do contribute and in my experience are more grounded.

 

[GuyDatHoo]

Another factor is our current society often doesn’t provide a context in which young people earn their keep in anyway. In the sense of contributing to their family or society. By contrast, children who grow up on farms generally do contribute and in my experience are more grounded.

The infantilization of children. In some ways good, we’re not sending them up chimneys or asking them to work in fields til there hands are raw, but they have no sense of purpose.

 

[Harry Hondo]

The author of a NY Times story on a crisis in mental health among youth was on Smerconish this morning. Here is the Smerconish interview:

View embedded media

And here is the NYTimes story.

Redirect Notice

So smoking, drinking, drugs, sex, and tv watching are all down among kids, why are depression and suicide going up?

In the interview the author is not willing to say smart phones/internet ARE the cause, but they are at least part of the problem. Kids are not in face-to-face contact as much with their peers.

But in the article another point exists that did not come up, the average age of puberty continues to decline. Adolescence is a tough time with huge desires to "fit in". But the body may be starting that now before the brain has developed a strong sense of self. Combined with the internet this can be a big problem.

Google does show that across the west puberty is starting earlier and earlier.

I would suggest keeping phones from kids, but that "fitting in" problem raises its head, being the only kid in a class without a phone will cause problems.

This link says the current age in US and Canada is between 9 and 11 for girls, https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=te7260#:~:text=Most of these changes occur,signs of puberty in girls.

Smart phones and social media does much more harm to the brain than pot and alcohol. It triggers dopamine release and is effectively like cocaine when used daily.

Is Social Media As Addictive As Cocaine?

Swipe. Scroll. Swipe. Scroll. Swipe.

hightimes.com

 

[stollcpa]

Awful. I hate these phones. And correct preventing your kid from having one leaves them out. They are all on group chats etc. Not long ago I put up a tent in the backyard and my daughter had 3 friends over for a campout. I went to check on them a couple of times. Every time they were all on their phones. Not playing in the yard, making stuff, etc. Just on their phones. I never see kids in the park playing pickup anymore. Or practicing any sport to be honest. Alone.

And yes puberty is earlier. Very scary and problematic. It's not easy being a kid today, or at least not as easy

My son and his friends drove me crazy. I built an amazing lighted basketball court for them. I seriously doubt they used it a dozen times over 15 years or so. Mostly his friends both boys and girls spent countless hours in our basement. They would all bring their own small TV screens to play Xbox games and I swear they communicated a lot texting each other when they were in the same room.

 

[mcmurtry66]

My son and his friends drove me crazy. I built an amazing lighted basketball court for them. I seriously doubt they used it a dozen times over 15 years or so. Mostly his friends both boys and girls spent countless hours in our basement. They would all bring their own small TV screens to play Xbox games and I swear they communicated a lot texting each other when they were in the same room.

Oh it's awful. I totally get it. My daughter has a nice tv in her room. 42 inch or whatever. It is literally never on. If she watches shows she watches them on her phone. Different world

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

Smart phones and social media does much more harm to the brain than pot and alcohol. It triggers dopamine release and is effectively like cocaine when used daily.

Is Social Media As Addictive As Cocaine?

Swipe. Scroll. Swipe. Scroll. Swipe.

hightimes.com

hightimes is the pinnacle of quality news and science reporting

 

[UncleMark]

hightimes is the pinnacle of quality news and science reporting

Loved that mag back in the college days. Of course, you had to be high to appreciate it.

 

[hoosboot]

Loved that mag back in the college days. Of course, you had to be high to appreciate it.

It's like a Pauly Shore movie.

 

[iuwclurker]

Smart phones and social media does much more harm to the brain than pot and alcohol. It triggers dopamine release and is effectively like cocaine when used daily.

Is Social Media As Addictive As Cocaine?

Swipe. Scroll. Swipe. Scroll. Swipe.

hightimes.com

Cheaper too. Cocaine dealers are worried about their business model getting grandfathered.

Medical professionals have discovered cocaine addicts start with 10 lines of social media and after two weeks get it down to one line of social media and they can get off their cocaine addiction entirely.

🙄

 

[Marvin the Martian]

My son and his friends drove me crazy. I built an amazing lighted basketball court for them. I seriously doubt they used it a dozen times over 15 years or so. Mostly his friends both boys and girls spent countless hours in our basement. They would all bring their own small TV screens to play Xbox games and I swear they communicated a lot texting each other when they were in the same room.

Wow, a lighted court would have been a dream in my youth. I haven't been around an outdoor court in a while, I wonder if they are mostly empty. Pretty much until college I was working, or on a basketball court/baseball field, or playing wargames every night. Ok, that didn't change in college.

I wonder if fewer people are playing various sports, or have we eliminated pick-up sports for structured?

 

[stollcpa]

Wow, a lighted court would have been a dream in my youth. I haven't been around an outdoor court in a while, I wonder if they are mostly empty. Pretty much until college I was working, or on a basketball court/baseball field, or playing wargames every night. Ok, that didn't change in college.

I wonder if fewer people are playing various sports, or have we eliminated pick-up sports for structured?

I think pick up games are a think of the past.

 

[anon_6hv78pr714xta]

Wow, a lighted court would have been a dream in my youth. I haven't been around an outdoor court in a while, I wonder if they are mostly empty. Pretty much until college I was working, or on a basketball court/baseball field, or playing wargames every night. Ok, that didn't change in college.

I wonder if fewer people are playing various sports, or have we eliminated pick-up sports for structured?

In the Chicago suburbs, pick up games don’t exist. I try to make my son organize them, and he can’t ever get enough people. Even for wiffleballl. I finally built a field in my backyard but even then it was hard to do. Everyone is so overscheduled it’s ridiculous.

I say this as I’m typing on my phone waiting for his first of three hockey games he’ll play in over the next 12 hours. 😞

 

[UncleMark]

In the Chicago suburbs, pick up games don’t exist. I try to make my son organize them, and he can’t ever get enough people. Even for wiffleballl. I finally built a field in my backyard but even then it was hard to do. Everyone is so overscheduled it’s ridiculous

All the youth programs kinda backfired, didn't they? Unintended consequences.

 

[mcmurtry66]

In the Chicago suburbs, pick up games don’t exist. I try to make my son organize them, and he can’t ever get enough people. Even for wiffleballl. I finally built a field in my backyard but even then it was hard to do. Everyone is so overscheduled it’s ridiculous

The pickup soccer games that occur here are all old guys. No bullshit. You hit the nail on the head. Kids are way over scheduled and I can't speak for other sports but soccer became a cash cow for my generation. Instead of one team at a club per age group there are 20. The more scheduled events the more teams the more they can justify charging.

Life changed. Recreation changed

 

[anon_6hv78pr714xta]

It’s too bad.

Fall of 2020, I took down the wiffle ball field and put up a volleyball court. Basic, on dirt and grass, but it was fantastic. Every Sunday, we invited over people staggered throughout the day and played pick up 2 on 2 volleyball. Mostly my 14 yr old daughter and her friends and their parents along with neighbors. Had a TV set up outside to watch football, lots of beer and White Claws, band hot dogs.

Did that for about six weekends in a row. Fall sports were almost all cancelled bc of Covid and the kids (and parents) had a ball.

Was hoping to make it a yearly tradition, but once organized sports started up again, no one could make it.

 

[ORG]

Ummm, because Smoking, Drinking, Drugs, sex and TV watching are all down? duhhh. God made those things so we would be HAPPY!

I am NOT deeply religious so I have NO idea which God you are speaking about...

 

[IUINSB]

Loved that mag back in the college days. Of course, you had to be high to appreciate it.

I'd probably agree but I can't remember.

 

[Marvin the Martian]

In the Chicago suburbs, pick up games don’t exist. I try to make my son organize them, and he can’t ever get enough people. Even for wiffleballl. I finally built a field in my backyard but even then it was hard to do. Everyone is so overscheduled it’s ridiculous.

I say this as I’m typing on my phone waiting for his first of three hockey games he’ll play in over the next 12 hours. 😞

I wonder if this is part of a bigger problem, conflict resolution. Kids never get a chance to work things out, adults are always around scheduling and resolving.

 

[IUINSB]

Instead of one team at a club per age group there are 20. The more scheduled events the more teams the more they can justify charging.

Life changed. Recreation changed

If the organizer of a travel team group has more than two teams for any one age group they are just ripping people off. Banking on parent fantasy of Dylan's or Madison's D1/pro career.

 

[mcmurtry66]

If the organizer of a travel team group has more than two teams for any one age group they are just ripping people off. Banking on parent fantasy of Dylan's or Madison's D1/pro career.

My only quibble is that as a byproduct of the proliferation of clubs and pay to play you can make a career out of soccer in coaching. You can be a total dogshit player but if you go get the licenses (another pay scheme) you can coach at a club and make a living. 30 years ago that was unheard of for all but the director of the club. There are clubs out there now like Rush that are like a company. 50,000 kids etc.

But yeah duping parents has long been part of the program. D1 soccer has 9.9 schollies. 5 go to international washouts and 4.9 get divided up amongst a dozen plus guys. Dylan and Madison should only be playing for the love of the game because if it's to earn a D1 scholarship mom and dad would be far better served spending club and travel money on a state tuition savings program.

 

[iuwclurker]

It’s too bad.

Fall of 2020, I took down the wiffle ball field and put up a volleyball court. Basic, on dirt and grass, but it was fantastic. Every Sunday, we invited over people staggered throughout the day and played pick up 2 on 2 volleyball. Mostly my 14 yr old daughter and her friends and their parents along with neighbors. Had a TV set up outside to watch football, lots of beer and White Claws, band hot dogs.

Did that for about six weekends in a row. Fall sports were almost all cancelled bc of Covid and the kids (and parents) had a ball.

Was hoping to make it a yearly tradition, but once organized sports started up again, no one could make it.

Soon you’ll graduate to croquet.

 

[anon_6hv78pr714xta]

I wonder if this is part of a bigger problem, conflict resolution. Kids never get a chance to work things out, adults are always around scheduling and resolving.

I don’t think fear of conflict resolution stops them from playing but agree they miss out on using and honing that skill.

Attention span might also be a factor. No one goes and plays for hours and hours outside anymore. They get bored and start using their phones. I saw kids play wiffleball finish in the field, come up to bat, and while waiting, just sit on their phone. Depressing.

 

[hoosboot]

I don’t think fear of conflict resolution stops them from playing but agree they miss out on using and honing that skill.

Attention span might also be a factor. No one goes and plays for hours and hours outside anymore. They get bored and start using their phones. I saw kids play wiffleball finish in the field, come up to bat, and while waiting, just sit on their phone. Depressing.

There's also the possibility that wiffleball just isn't that captivating a sport to kids these days amidst the many options they have.

There's definitely a question of balance in the amount of structure in the lives of kids these days, but we're coming out of a REALLY strange time, so I suspect we'll continue to see rebalancing happening in these things.

 

[hoosboot]

Dylan and Madison should only be playing for the love of the game

You have a great perspective on this, I think, particularly because I'm sure a lot of guys you played with can make a living helping kids reach for their dreams.

Our kids would be better off in general if the part I quoted was the philosophy that we as parents applied to most of the things that our kids did. Introduce them to a lot things, but feed the things that they love...not the things we think they SHOULD be doing.

 

[Marvin the Martian]

There's also the possibility that wiffleball just isn't that captivating a sport to kids these days amidst the many options they have.

There's definitely a question of balance in the amount of structure in the lives of kids these days, but we're coming out of a REALLY strange time, so I suspect we'll continue to see rebalancing happening in these things.

This made me think, has anyone seen those wiffleball videos on YouTube? I thought the pitches we threw were hard to hit. Of course we taped our wiffleball up with black electrical tape, it cut the curve but upped the speed.

If we lost the wiffleball, one friend would run home and steal from his mom's plastic fruit collection. Oranges were best, but sometimes we had to use apples, pears, lemons, or limes.

 

[mcmurtry66]

You have a great perspective on this, I think, particularly because I'm sure a lot of guys you played with can make a living helping kids reach for their dreams.

Our kids would be better off in general if the part I quoted was the philosophy that we as parents applied to most of the things that our kids did. Introduce them to a lot things, but feed the things that they love...not the things we think they SHOULD be doing.

Some of my perspective is borne of having one of the kids that it became clear early on wasn't going to make it. A "classic" player as they say - if the check clears we'll find a team for her

 

[anon_mlxxvlbug9dpa]

Wow, a lighted court would have been a dream in my youth. I haven't been around an outdoor court in a while, I wonder if they are mostly empty. Pretty much until college I was working, or on a basketball court/baseball field, or playing wargames every night. Ok, that didn't change in college.

I wonder if fewer people are playing various sports, or have we eliminated pick-up sports for structured?

My kids are obsessed with basketball - even tho we live somewhere where it’s not popular. They play it outside on our driveway for at least an hour a day. I’m contemplating installing a half court sport court but I’m worried the minute I do they’ll lose interest. That thing is expensive.