Zachary Matteson

Debi Jizi
UWRT 1102-029
2 March 2016
Nature and Happiness Double Entry Journal

Critical point
author Richard Louv, in his book Last
Child in the Woods, argues that many
negative aspects of childhood occur as a
result of youth spending less and less time
outside.
we have created a society that distances
children from nature
fears of stranger danger, kidnappings, child
homicides, and a host of other dangers
permeate parents' thinking and impact
children's developmental opportunities.
the actual number of kidnappings, two to
three hundred per year, has not increased
over the last 15 years.
Louv reports that educational spending on
technology has increased over the last
decade to $6.2 billion dollars, while at the
same time art, music, and nature programs
are being phased out of schools.
Interestingly enough, he points out, little
research exists to substantiate a positive
connection between computers and
educational attainment.
although parents need to be protective of
their kids, research shows positive parent
and child relationships may have the
greatest impact on kids' safety.
Louv does not give enough attention to
reconnecting inner city kids with nature. He
briefly addresses park reform and creating
more green spaces in cities, but it seems he
overlooks the needs of urban children.
This does not mean that the ideas are
invalid, but that they may have the same
affect on readers as Louv claims learning
about the destruction of rain forests has on
elementary kids, the situation seems too
overwhelming and the solutions too great
for one person to make a difference.

Response
I have noticed as well that kids have been
spending less time outside.

I have noticed kids spend less time outside

and that has pushed me to spend more time
outside
If I had a kid I would worry about my kid
getting taken. Although it probably wouldnt
happen, I would still want to be safe rather
than sorry.
I am surprised to see that the rate has stayed
constant. That really shows that parents fear
more than they should.
To me this is very solid evidence on how
schools have a part to do in this. Now that I
am thinking about it, I can see how schools
are fading out arts and nature classes.

I have had a positive relationship with my

parents and I feel like that has drove me
closer to them where they can protect me. I
can see how not spending time can with
family can drive kids away from safety.
This is good to know because if I do read
this book and get some information on it, I
may have to do some more research on inner
city children.
It is good to understand that not all of the
ideas presented are too big for one person.
This pushes me to get more people involved.

http://search.proquest.com.librarylink.uncc.edu/docview/201124734?
OpenUrlRefId=info:xri/sid:wcdiscovery&accountid=14605
Summary
In this source, the author reviewing a book by Richard Louv that talks about the connection
between being in nature and mental and social disorders of kids. The book that this article is
recalling is almost all about kids and nature. The author of this article recalling the main points
of the book and the effectiveness of the arguments. Some of the Main topics covered were how
we are pushing kids into a society that separates them from nature And how spending on
electronics in schools has gone up while spending money on nature programs has gone down. He
also reviewed how the relationship between how parents have something to do with their kids
not being outside as much. He talks about where the author fell short in his research and left gaps
in his arguments. Lastly In the article the author reviews some of the suggestions for change that
the author of the original book had. Some of the arguments were doable but some seemed farfetched.