Michael Chabon's essay,  “The Wilderness of Childhood,” in the New York Review of Books has gotten some well deserved attention from the blogosphere. I thought I would add my two cents on the subject.

Chabon writes about the adventures that he had as a kid exploring around the neighborhood, with no adult supervision. He said that he grew up with breath-taking liberty. But that's all gone.

The sandlots and creek beds, the alleys and woodlands have been
abandoned in favor of a system of reservations—Chuck E. Cheese, the
Jungle, the Discovery Zone: jolly internment centers mapped and planned
by adults with no blank spots aside from doors marked staff only. When
children roller-skate or ride their bikes, they go forth armored as for
battle, and their parents typically stand nearby.

Chabon believes that his childhood adventures and explorations helped to fuel his writer's imagination. What will future writers draw upon for inspiration? It's a really nice piece. Worth a read.

Russell Arben Fox and Tim Burke respond. There's no question that Chabon is right that our kids aren't getting the free reign that we did as kids. Witness the discussion yesterday on this blog about whether or not a 12 year old could responsibly watch a 3 year old at the mall.

Continue reading “Adventures in the Woods” →