Philosophy Now Forum

DianeCooper wrote:I think boredom in children is common. So to avoid this situation, I think parents must involve children in various extra-curricular activities or send them to play schools where they get chance to grow and develop.

You know that, even if there were enough good play schools for all the bored children, 90% of parents couldn't afford to send them there.
And then... let's examine this a bit more closely.
Is it common for all children, everywhere, to be bored, or does the child-boredom level vary from one culture to another, one historical period to another? I don't recall being bored as a child. I had school, chores, play, an annoying younger brother, a bicycle, friends, dogs, art projects, feuds, parks, libraries, wretched accordion lessons, excruciating family outings, back yards and - oh, rapture! a whole swathe of condemned houses in old red-brick Toronto.

Do you think maybe we're driving children to boredom with constant, inescapable, relentless entertaining?
Is it really necessary to make everything from getting dressed to learning science, from waiting for the doctor to eating junk-food ever more and more and more FUN?

Wouldn't it be simpler just to have communities in which children are allowed to live their lives?
It troubles me greatly to see any intelligent creature guided, managed and organized every minute of its day - it's a lot like captivity.
Besides, what makes adults so sure that boredom is bad for children? Might a little bit of unstructured time, unchallenged and disengaged, not be restful for a growing brain? We know that total lack of stimulation results in poor development. So we think providing stimulation will develop productive, clever, affectionate people. But suppose overstimulation gives us burn-outs, suicides and psychotics?
Might an absence of outer-directed activity not dispose the child to reflection, introspection, observation - maybe even original thought?
Or is that what we're afraid of?

I think this is additionally great to give kids, such communities where they can live according to them. Now and then it happens that over protectiveness towards children prompts some devastation, so it must be avoided.

How about offering to children (and adults too) a free choice of stimulation and retreat so they can choose what they need at a given moment of their personal life history ?

A room full of friends discussing interesting things and an empty room close by, with a bed to lie down and relax.

That would be nice. But competitive parents are more likely to sign a seven-year-old up for piano, soccer, gymnastics and play-dates, while it's also preparing for first communion and ring-bearer at a cousin's wedding - all after school, of course.

Skip wrote:That would be nice. But competitive parents are more likely to sign a seven-year-old up for piano, soccer, gymnastics and play-dates, while it's also preparing for first communion and ring-bearer at a cousin's wedding - all after school, of course.

After school for my kids was the same as it was for me when I was a kid. Piss off outside and don't come back till dinnertime.

duszek wrote:How about offering to children (and adults too) a free choice of stimulation and retreat so they can choose what they need at a given moment of their personal life history ?

A room full of friends discussing interesting things and an empty room close by, with a bed to lie down and relax.

One certainly can't be bored with stimulation and a relaxing bed lol! But best to leave it just for the adults.

duszek wrote:How about offering to children (and adults too) a free choice of stimulation and retreat so they can choose what they need at a given moment of their personal life history ?

A room full of friends discussing interesting things and an empty room close by, with a bed to lie down and relax.

I completely agree with this thought.

duszek wrote:How about offering to children (and adults too) a free choice of stimulation and retreat so they can choose what they need at a given moment of their personal life history ?

A room full of friends discussing interesting things and an empty room close by, with a bed to lie down and relax.

It seems that only the very young and the very old really value a nap. It's only the middle aged that are hell bent on accomplishing something every second of every day.

thedoc wrote:

duszek wrote:How about offering to children (and adults too) a free choice of stimulation and retreat so they can choose what they need at a given moment of their personal life history ?

A room full of friends discussing interesting things and an empty room close by, with a bed to lie down and relax.

It seems that only the very young and the very old really value a nap. It's only the middle aged that are hell bent on accomplishing something every second of every day.

Ahem. I frickin love napping.

Dalek Prime wrote:

thedoc wrote:

duszek wrote:How about offering to children (and adults too) a free choice of stimulation and retreat so they can choose what they need at a given moment of their personal life history ?

A room full of friends discussing interesting things and an empty room close by, with a bed to lie down and relax.

It seems that only the very young and the very old really value a nap. It's only the middle aged that are hell bent on accomplishing something every second of every day.

Ahem. I frickin love napping.

So you admit to being a damned B.O.F. just like me?

B.O.F.? Bird of feather? Yeah, but I'm technically still middlle aged. I broke the mold.

Doc, napping is my superpower lol!

No, B.O.F. - Boring Old Fart.

No, that would be "Birds of a Feather" B.O.A.F. sorry.

thedoc wrote:No, B.O.F. - Boring Old Fart.

You know what, I think I am. But I like it, too. Let someone else be an exciting daredevil. I'm good as I am.