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Addressing the Importance of Significant Life Experiences: Designing a Parenting Program to Reconnect Families to Nature
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Date
Authors
Schneider, Erin M.
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Thesis
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University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
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Abstract
Description
Today’s culture of “more” has put families under extreme pressure as they struggle to
cope with the issues of excess consumption, marketing to children, increased use of
screen devices, the strong influence of the media, over-scheduling, strong emphasis on
structured “learning opportunities” at an early age, and the devaluing of free play. These
issues not only cause a barrier to connecting children with nature, but also have a
profound impact on the health of children, families, communities, and the planet.
Children’s disconnect not only has an impact on their own emotional and physical
wellbeing, but also leads to a loss of curiosity about and interest in protecting the natural
world (Louv, 2005). Tanner (1980), Palmer (1993) and Chawla (1999) all write about the
importance of life experiences in nature and positive childhood role models in the
development of an appreciation of nature. How many parents today are providing
outdoor experiences and positive role modeling for their children? Unfortunately,
children today are experiencing very different childhoods than generations past due to a
wide variety of reasons, such as proliferation of screen devices, high value placed on
adult-led, organized activities, parental fear, and the growing value of stuff over
experience due to increased impact of advertising and marketing. Adding to this is the
stress and exhaustion of today’s parents who are working longer hours and keeping
busier schedules, which makes it more and more difficult for them to encourage their
children to go outside to play, or to get outside together as a family.
Considering the growing strain our overconsumption is having on the ecosystem
services that sustain life on our planet, we need to rapidly shift how we are living on this
planet and increase the protection and preservation of natural lands across the globe.
How do we make this shift when people are too busy or too disconnected to care? How
do we build the awareness, knowledge and skills necessary to empower people to
make impactful changes in their lives? Simplicity Parenting, in concert with formal and
non-formal environmental education, could be an effective venue to address these
questions and achieve our goal of a more environmentally literate society.