Politics, Policies, Laws, statues, and other barriers

Louv gets down to the point that laws and policies meant to protect people from being sued are damaging relationships with nature and the outdoors. I was most shocked by the "no running" sings put up in 137 South Florida elementary schools (241). Instantly, that cuts out all of the childhood games like Tag, Red Rover, Touch football, Soccer, Baseball.... the list goes on.

As a kid, I did not exactly enjoy running, but it was a staple to my childhood and essential for healthy bone and muscle growth. Take away running from schools and you will welcome health problems much more long-term than a twisted ankle.

I admit the economics of insurance and healthcare can be a bit annoying to read, but it is important to understand how they are limiting children's (and parents) access to play. A lot of children will go out and explore without their parents. Some children may need to be encouraged by their parents to go out and run to the park. Those that need to be encouraged may not have parent that are willing to take them. Health coverage is expensive. Depending on the parent's coverage, a broken arm can cost a few hundred to a thousand dollars between doctors visits and care of the arm. Parents who cannot afford this expense will be more prone to keep their child at home where they will not run the risk of a broken arm. Again, the long-term disadvantages can be obesity, difficulty in making friends, anger or resentment towards the parents, and many other issues...