Society: Events: COMMON GOOD FORUM: The Value of Play

COMMON GOOD FORUM: The Value of Play

May 31, 2006

Location: The AEI-Brookings Joint Center, Washington, DC

Fear of lawsuits, excessive safety regulations, and society’s growing aversion to risk have fundamentally altered the nature of play and recreation in America.  Playgrounds have become boring – stripped of seesaws, swings, and jungle gyms – and recess is becoming a thing of the past.  Opportunities for sledding, swimming, and diving are disappearing as well.  Yet we know that play is critical to children’s physical, social, and mental health.  And the loss of recreational opportunities is particularly troubling in this age of rising childhood obesity rates.  Because of this, Common Good is working to protect and restore play and recreational opportunities to American life.  We are currently developing legislative solutions and raising awareness of the effects that removing all risk from our children has on their lives.  

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