- Hand sanitisers
- Extreme overuse of antibiotics
- Removing play equipment from school playgrounds
- Overuse of vaccinations
- Never allowing children to be unsupervised
- Walking or biking to school ‘too’ dangerous
- Playing outdoors in the rain or cold…’too’ dangerous
- Signage everywhere to speak of the obvious, in case of litigation.
- Airport and other security now essential
These are the costs of safety measures and protection, to keep the illusion alive that we are safe and protected.
But what is the ALL in cost?
Are we losing the ability to live the adventure? Risk, uncertainty and a degree of danger are partners of adventure. And the entrepreneurial spirit.
Are we losing the ability to live responsibly…where we, rather than the state, consider the consequences?
Are we losing the pathway to self-confidence and wisdom, where hard earned lessons…broken arms and skinned knee’s, and yes the occasional tragedy…teaches us discernment?
Why are we so terrified of sickness…of catching colds, and the usual childhood diseases?
Is it possible to live a whole life when we wrap ourselves in cotton wool?
I think not.
I want my world to be a little messy. I am reminded of my humanness when a cold or flu keeps me in bed for a few days. Climbing tree’s (and falling out of them) is essential to childhood. Allow me to learn responsibility through making choices and making mistakes. And adventure…give me that…in real life, rather than ask me to live adventure through mass media…