WORLD OF FEAR
A Research Paper Presented to
The English Resource Center
School of Multimedia Arts
Asia Pacific College
Magallanes, Makati City
In Partial Fullfillment
of the Requirements for the Course
ERESWRT-Research Writing
Marlon F. Dayao Jr
August 2014
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
Some parents don't let their children to play outside. Worrying about the safety of their children and how they spend their time if they will play outside is one of the reasons why parents is anxious. They don't want bad things to happen to their children maybe because they are afraid of traffic, stranger danger and to the nature itself. Also they are uncertain if their children is playing in the right way.
According to an article entitled Confession of an Anxious Parent by Jill Suttie, "Fear is the most potent force that prevents parents from allowing their children the freedom they themselves enjoyed when they were young." (http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/confessions_anxious_parent)
Since fear is the response to a possible danger, parents don't want their children to experience what they are afraid of and what they have encounter in their childhood days.
Some childrens are just playing outside in less than 30 minutes. Childrens nowadays are playing ipad or playstations. After classes, kids go straight to the home to watch television and make their homeworks. They want to stay inside because they spend most of their time playing indoors.
According to an article I read entitled Childhood has moved inside in one generation by Dennis Cauchon, "Today, childhood is spent mostly indoors, watching television, playing video games and working the Internet. When children do go outside, it tends to be for scheduled events." (http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-07-11-pastimes-childhood_x.htm)
This means that most of the kids nowadays would just go outside if there is party or events. They would rather spend their time playing indoors and watching cartoons.
Children today would rather just read, doing household chores and do their homework. Modern children are now playing indoor games rather than outdoor games. Nowadays, kids are just watching tv, playing playstation, and sleep to passed by the time. This means that most of them are now referring to the gadgets than to play outside.
According to an article entitled Children today would rather read, do chores or even do HOMEWORK than play outside - and they get out half as much as their parents did by Katy Winter, "Figures show that those growing up in the during the 1970s and 1980s enjoyed more than two hours of outside play each weekday, and a further nine hours at weekends- whatever the weather." (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2307431/Children-today-read-chores-HOMEWORK-play-outside.html)
This means that before, children would rather prefer to play outside than staying inside without their parents having fears to something. People before is having more fun outside than inside. Therefore, society is now changing.
Some parents don't want their children to play or go outside. But what they don't know is that they should let their children explore the outside world because there will be an effect in their adulthood or in the future that might cause negative result to their children. Therefore, this research was made to persuade at the same time to inform every readers about fear.
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the reasons why parents must let their children to play outside.
B.Statement of the Problem
This study aims to answer this question:
Why parents must let their children to play outside?
C.Significance of the Study
Parents: This research will help them on how being overprotective can affect their children and how a child must raise properly to avoid their future fears that may encounter in their life.
Children: This study would help them to know why parents are overprotective to them and what might happen in their adulthood.
Teenagers or Students: Since fear is mostly happening in school, this research would help them to know why they are encountering this and how can they deal with it.
D.Scope and Delimitation
This study will give the readers an idea of what possible things that might happen if they don't let their children go outside.
This study would point out the psychological effect of fear in one's mind and the origin of fear.
E.Materials and Methods
This study was able to done by summarizing the articles, gathering information about fear from different sources and it is based on the current situations that happening today.
The information that will be gathered then will point out the physical and mental effects of fear to an individual.
CHAPTER 2
DISCUSSION
Why parents must let their children to play or go outside?
I. The Danger of Kids Trapped Inside
Usually, we heard news about stranger danger but let's change the topic and discuss first the danger of kids trapped inside in their whole childhood days.
There's a recent story that have been discussed from the New York Times about how play has been vanished from childhood.
The article says that "Too little playtime may seem to rank far down on the list of society's worries, but the scientists, psychologists, educators and others who are part of the play movement say that most of the social and intellectual skills one needs to succeed in life and work are first developed through childhood play". (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/06/garden/06play.html?_r=0)
Kids nowadays would be exposed to serious problems if they don't get the correct structure of playing:
A. Basic Rights of Passage
Kids that are trapped inside would miss out to from fun memories outside. If you experienced making memorable things outside then luckily for you, but some they don't feel it. There's a lot of differences in staying inside and outside. In outside world, you could do many things that will greatly left a good memory to you but in inside world, there are some but it is few and you will be easily get tired of. Also you could miss out making mistakes and learning on how to be brave. When you are playing outside, you could possibly encounter danger or injuries but it doesn't mean that it is bad. It can give you a knowledge on how to be brave and how to face it. A good example to this is the training to ride a bike. When you are training to ride a bike, of course you commit mistakes right? Like falling to the ground because of the unbalance. By commiting the mistakes means that you are also learning to be brave because you know that you just already fall of and continue even though it is a pain to you right?
In an article written by Jill Suttie entitled "The Dangers of Kids Trapped Inside", The author discussed about the psychologists, scientists and educators who believes that the most of the social and intellectual skills are first developed through our childhood play.
She added, "Kids trapped inside miss out on basic rights of passage, such as forming fun memories, making mistakes and learning how to be brave." (http://www.inhabitots.com/the-convincing-case-for-sending-your-kids-outside-to-play-alone/dangers-of-kids-trapped-inside/)
B. Screentime
Children that only have screentime have no idea on how to manage when it is not available. They get easily depressed, lose control and have no idea on how they will entertain themselves besides their screentime. Parents must not let their children to maintain and stay in their screen time.
There's an article entitled "Go Play Outside: Are Kids Getting Too Much Screen Time?" written by Stephanie Lyndon, the author said that nowadays, children is absorbed in technology. She also discussed about the possibilities of the kids to have a passive play or creative thinking.
She concluded "Children are growing up in a world in which screens are almost always available." (http://wgbhnews.org/post/go-play-outside-are-kids-getting-too-much-screen-time)
C. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Researchers said that the symptoms of ADHD would become worse when children doesn't go outside or have no contact with nature. "Hyperactivity and the ability to sustain attention or concentration" says Thomas. These are the issues and more common in boys who are suffering this disorder. They have difficulties in finishing task, low listening skills, running at improper times and they are easily get distracted. These are the factors that can also be considered when a children is always inside because they have a strange feeling when they are in outside. There's an article written by Jennifer Chait entitled "An Alarming Number of American Kids Are Put on Prescription Meds as ADHD Diagnoses Skyrocket" she discussed about the massive increase in ADHD diagnoses use in children seems to be like the issues that cannot be solved without the use of medicines. Dr Thomas R. Frieden says "We need to ensure balance". (http://www.inhabitots.com/an-alarming-number-of-american-kids-are-put-on-prescription-meds-as-adhd-diagnoses-skyrocket/2/)
D.Social Phobia
Social Phobia can affect the future of a children. Since children nowadays or even before are playing indoors or just staying at home, this might be the problem of a teenager encountering this phobia because when a child grow older or become an adult, he/she will still have this fears and uncertainty but will show them in a different way. They don't want to be seen negatively and to be judged by other people that will lead them to avoidance. A person who has this phobia thinks that being alone is better. This phobia is commonly occurs at the school.
There's an article written by Thomas A Richards, a psychologists and director of the Social Anxiety Institute, entitled What is Social Anxiety? It is discussed there that Social Phobia is the third largest mental health care problem. In the United States, it is estimated that 7% of their population is suffering from social anxiety at the present time.
According to Thomas, "If a person usually becomes (irrationally) anxious in social situations, but seems better when they are alone, then "social anxiety" may be the problem". (https://socialanxietyinstitute.org/what-is-social-anxiety)
E.Childhood Experiences
Childhood Experiences affects the way we act in adulthood. As for as adults, we know that at some point our life when we are still a child, we experienced fear. The way we are raised by our parents have an effect when we are becoming older. We develop certain traits because of our past experiences in life. Being afraid of something when you are a children is part of growing up so that's why it would really affect you in your teenage days.
According to an article written by Farouk Radwan entitled "How childhood experiences affects adulthood" He discussed about our adulthood is just an extension of our childhood experiences. He also concluded that childhood experiences determine how we are right now.
"If a child was raised by an over protective family then he will develop fears and insecurities because of believing that the world is unsafe. Now when that child becomes an adult he will still have his fears and insecurities but will display them in a different way." says M. Farouk Radwan.
(http://www.2knowmyself.com/how_childhood_experiences_affect_adulthood)
F.Freedom
Freedom in children is vanishing today. Children before experienced running outside all day long until they become exhausted. They climb trees, play patintero and go swimming with their parents. Kids today aren't as lucky as before. Many parents today are afraid of outdoors, including such a very simple acts like letting their kid climb a tree or run freely because of the possibility that their children might get injured. In my neighborhood, I can't see kids playing or staying outside. Maybe because they are absorbed in playing playstations, watching televisions and using computer or ipad. Some kids today don't walk to school alone and they are with their parents always. But parents must lessen it because it is the only freedom that they can receive and how can they learn and express themselves if they don't have the freedom or time to be alone? It's almost always that their parents are with them but keeping your kids trapped inside could really have a big psychological effect to your children.
There's an article written by Suttie Jill entitled "The Convincing Case For Sending Your Kids Outside To Play Alone", the author points out that many parents today are fear of outdoors. She understand that the purpose of not letting your kids to play outside is because of the stranger danger but she said that keeping your kids inside is a house arrest and confusing.
According to Suttie Jill, "Kids today aren’t as lucky. Many parents today fear the outdoors, including such simple acts as letting a kid climb a tree or hike alone in the woods." (http://www.inhabitots.com/the-convincing-case-for-sending-your-kids-outside-to-play-alone/dangers-of-kids-trapped-inside/)
G.Obesity
Obesity is one of the major problems that kids will encounter if they are always inside their houses. They will be lazy to walk, exercise or do something that would require physical strength. Their minds would always be to play, eat and rest in their house. Television is one of the things that have negative effects to kids because they are always watching. Sometimes they would see a commercial and would let their parents to buy it for them. The lack of physical ability would result to the children to be obese.
An article written by Anna Edwards entitled "Cotton wool culture: More than half of parents don't let their children play sports such as rugby, hockey and swimming in case they get injured", the author said that they stop their child to play this sports because of the fear of getting injured and they considered this as dangerous sports that would lead to obesity. He also said that if a young children is unfit now, then they are more likely to develop heart disease in the future.
Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum said that "It's a tragedy the way that we are protecting our children, cocooning our children. If children don't go out and exercise, they will become fat." (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2561904/Cotton-wool-culture-More-half-parents-dont-let-children-play-sports-rugby-hockey-swimming-case-injured.html)
III.Inferences
Letting your child play or go outside is very important because kids must explore what they need to explore here in our world. Also parents don't want their children to experience this negative effects right? But why not act now? Remember, how a children is before can affect on how he/she will become in the future. There's many things that they don't know about outside. Don't let your children stay to play computer and just watch television but let your children run from the roads as long as they want besides you can see how they will react to it, on how they will smile to obtain the freedom that they need.
H.Control
Stranger Danger? What about it? If you know how you can control your children, there's no use of being afraid of bad things. Control your children because you have the authority. Don't let your fears block the right path of what a children must do in their life. Fears are just illusion. Therefore, that illusion is just a thought that are created by us. Society is the problem, don't let it make you do the correct for your children. Besides, exploring things is a good way for your children to know the differences right?
I.Time
If time is the problem of the parents, then why not do something about it? Time cannot be replaced. But parents must spend their time mostly to their children. Kids nowadays are trapped inside their houses because their parents are busy. It doesn't mean that all the times that parents have are occupied, you must spend little time with your children to know how it feels to be in outside world.
J.Future
If your kids are always inside and just playing, it would greatly affect their future. Their mind is set inside, so it means that when they are already outside the tendecy is that they will be not comfortable, shy, prevent communications and want to be alone.
CHAPTER 3:
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
SUMMARY
This paper attempted to determine why parents must let their children to play outside.
The research design used in this study is the descriptive research method wherein data was obtain from different articles, surveys, interviews and documents were used to answer the research question created. The study findings are as follows:
2. Based on survey, parents are busy and they don't have the time to let their children play outside. Parents don't have the time for their children anymore to go with them outside that's why they let their children to stay inside and play gadgets or watch tv.
3. Stranger Danger is one of the main reason why parents don't want their children to go outside. Parents are worry about the safety of their children and how they will spend their time playing outside. Parents are uncertain if their kids are playing in the right way.
CONCLUSION
Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions are drawn:
1. Parents must let their children to explore the outside world so that they will not experience the negative effects of it. They will miss the basic rights of passage like making fun memories and learning how to be brave.
2. Social Phobia is commonly seen by the people who in the past don't go outside. This can affect the future of the children. Since kids nowadays are playing indoors or staying at home, this can be the problem of a teenager because they will still have this fears or anxiety but they will show them in a different way.
3. Freedom in Childhood is disappearing. Kids today are now different because before, kids experienced running as long as they can. Many parents today are afraid of letting their children to play outside because they might get injured.
RECOMMENDATIONS
After drawing the conclusions of the study, the researchers hereby make the following suggestions/recommendations:
1. Parents should spend some of their time outside with their children. Giving their children a time to play outside can make a difference so that their knowledge about the inside and the outside world can be balanced.
2. Children must not always play inside because experiencing going or playing outside is really different from inside. Kids canllearn many different things in outside world such as to learn how to be brave, confidence, make friends and etc.
3. Future researchers should use this as part of their basis in studying fear and how it can affect people. This paper can help them to know what's the difference between inside and outside world. They can also know what will happen if the children don't go outside.
References:
A. Electronic Media
Suttie J. (2008, March 1) Confessions of an Anxious Parent. Retrieved August 16, 2014 from http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/confessions_anxious_parent
Cauchon D. (2005, July 12) Childhood pastimes are increasingly moving indoors. Retrieved August 16,2014 from http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-07-11-pastimes-childhood_x.htm
Winter K. (2013, April 11) Children today would rather read, do chores or even do HOMEWORK than play outside - and they get out half as much as their parents did. Retrieved August 16, 2014 from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2307431/Children-today-read-chores-HOMEWORK-play-outside.html
Stout H. (2011, January 5) Effort to Restore Children's Play Gains Momentum. Retrieved August 18, 2014 from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/06/garden/06play.html?_r=1&
Chait J. (2013, April 19) The Convincing Case for Sending Your Kids Outside to Play Alone. Retrieved August 18, 2014 from http://www.inhabitots.com/the-convincing-case-for-sending-your-kids-outside-to-play-alone/
Richards T. (2014, March 11) What is Social Anxiety? Retrieved August 18, 2014 from https://socialanxietyinstitute.org/what-is-social-anxiety
This paper attempted to determine why parents must let their children to play outside.
The research design used in this study is the descriptive research method wherein data was obtain from different articles, surveys, interviews and documents were used to answer the research question created. The study findings are as follows:
1. Children nowadays prefer to stay or play inside rather than going outside. They trained to play inside by their parents. Kids spend a lot of time in front of TV, playing consoles and sitting in front of the computer. After classes, kids go straight to their house to make thier homeworks.
2. Based on survey, parents are busy and they don't have the time to let their children play outside. Parents don't have the time for their children anymore to go with them outside that's why they let their children to stay inside and play gadgets or watch tv.
3. Stranger Danger is one of the main reason why parents don't want their children to go outside. Parents are worry about the safety of their children and how they will spend their time playing outside. Parents are uncertain if their kids are playing in the right way.
CONCLUSION
Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions are drawn:
1. Parents must let their children to explore the outside world so that they will not experience the negative effects of it. They will miss the basic rights of passage like making fun memories and learning how to be brave.
2. Social Phobia is commonly seen by the people who in the past don't go outside. This can affect the future of the children. Since kids nowadays are playing indoors or staying at home, this can be the problem of a teenager because they will still have this fears or anxiety but they will show them in a different way.
3. Freedom in Childhood is disappearing. Kids today are now different because before, kids experienced running as long as they can. Many parents today are afraid of letting their children to play outside because they might get injured.
RECOMMENDATIONS
After drawing the conclusions of the study, the researchers hereby make the following suggestions/recommendations:
1. Parents should spend some of their time outside with their children. Giving their children a time to play outside can make a difference so that their knowledge about the inside and the outside world can be balanced.
2. Children must not always play inside because experiencing going or playing outside is really different from inside. Kids canllearn many different things in outside world such as to learn how to be brave, confidence, make friends and etc.
3. Future researchers should use this as part of their basis in studying fear and how it can affect people. This paper can help them to know what's the difference between inside and outside world. They can also know what will happen if the children don't go outside.
A. Electronic Media
Suttie J. (2008, March 1) Confessions of an Anxious Parent. Retrieved August 16, 2014 from http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/confessions_anxious_parent
Cauchon D. (2005, July 12) Childhood pastimes are increasingly moving indoors. Retrieved August 16,2014 from http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-07-11-pastimes-childhood_x.htm
Winter K. (2013, April 11) Children today would rather read, do chores or even do HOMEWORK than play outside - and they get out half as much as their parents did. Retrieved August 16, 2014 from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2307431/Children-today-read-chores-HOMEWORK-play-outside.html
Stout H. (2011, January 5) Effort to Restore Children's Play Gains Momentum. Retrieved August 18, 2014 from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/06/garden/06play.html?_r=1&
Chait J. (2013, April 19) The Convincing Case for Sending Your Kids Outside to Play Alone. Retrieved August 18, 2014 from http://www.inhabitots.com/the-convincing-case-for-sending-your-kids-outside-to-play-alone/
Richards T. (2014, March 11) What is Social Anxiety? Retrieved August 18, 2014 from https://socialanxietyinstitute.org/what-is-social-anxiety
