Group 5 Debate

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Why Free-range Parenting does not improve Child Independence and Development Debate Abby Rowland, Payton Robinson, Sam Miller Introduction: As society grows and continues to evolve, the world's danger levels continue to grow. This danger can come in many different forms such as through interactions with people online and even more so in person. The people who are most in danger are children and that responsibility lies on the parents. Parents are changing their ways of how they protect children and that can be seen in how parents interact with their children. Do parents want to let their children go into the large and anxiety-inducing world where the children will face many dangers that will increase the chances of experiencing life-threatening circumstances? We as a group are against the idea of free-range parenting and believe that it is not in the best interest of the children in society. Main Supporting Arguments: Point 1: Safety Concern Topic sentence: Unrestricted independence for young children might put them in danger due to rising threats like automobile accidents, stranger danger, and environmental concerns. With their focus on little adult involvement, free-range parenting may make it more difficult for kids to reach these developmental milestones on time and successfully. Children raised with a free-range parenting style might not be equipped to deal with emergencies well. Reiterating that those who are free-range parents may not even teach their kids proper safety skills like how to cross the street safely causing these accidents to happen more often. Without the supervision and guidance of adults, children might not acquire the required abilities to react composedly and forcefully in emergency situations. For instance, kids might not know how to ask for assistance or react correctly in cases of danger or injury. In the absence of sufficient planning and experience, children can be more vulnerable to injury in the event of unforeseen emergencies, such as accidents, natural catastrophes, or medical crises. Evidence: According to Parents.com, about 400 children aged 15 and under are killed each year after being hit by a vehicle (Kar, 2023). Children between the ages of 7 and 12 are most frequently struck by cars because they are unable to comprehend the dangers of jaywalking or crossing the street unaccompanied (HCAL, 2020). The situation worsens for youngsters under the age of seven. Unsupervised children under the age of six are far more likely to be struck by cars since they lack awareness of the dangers in this world (HCAL, 2020).

Point 2: Lack of Supervision and Guidance Topic sentence: Children are exposed to a greater variety of influences in today's linked environment, such as classmates, media, and internet content. By definition, free-range parenting promotes less adult involvement in kids' activities, which leaves kids to handle challenging circumstances on their own without enough assistance. Children thrive when provided with structured environments and supportive guidance from caregivers. Without these vital components, kids could find it difficult to acquire important life skills and might not be prepared for the difficulties they face as they get older. Children raised by parents who practise free-range parenting may be especially susceptible to unsuitable or detrimental influences if they do not receive enough monitoring and guidance. Without adult supervision, kids are more vulnerable to harmful influences that could harm their growth and well-being. Caregivers can reduce these dangers and guarantee that kids are exposed to supportive environments by offering organised supervision and direction. Evidence: According to Dr. Baker, youth professionals, advocated that organised camps provided character building as well as their connection to the wild. This structured and supervised play allows for that rugged outdoor lifestyle to strengthen boys’ bodies, minds and souls making them, in turn, “better citizens” and providing opportunities to access primitive life, girls did where a “symmetrical physical development” would provide the “fitting temples for their souls”. This especially helps with staying away from harmful things online as well. (Baker, 2022). Point 3: Developmental Milestone Impact Topic sentence: Children undergo critical developmental milestones throughout their formative years. These milestones often require guidance and support. Having a certain amount of surveillance over a child is important as it supports and promotes healthy development as well as it can help determine if the child may have developmental problems (Dosman et al., 2012). As well, consistent surveillance of children allows the parent to anticipate and acknowledge when the child proceeds to the succeeding developmental stage and to base their parenting of the child accordingly (Dosman et al., 2012). If developmental problems can be detected and dealt with at an early stage, the life of the child and the family as a whole can be improved (William et al., 2008). Counter Argument: Point 1: Positive for development Allowing your children to exist in a free-range environment is positive for their personal development. Being able to explore the world on their own accord not only gives them a better understanding of the physical world itself, but it allows for their brain to develop in ways that allow them to succeed in other aspects of life. Free-range parenting can assist in the

development of a child’s spatial skills and strategies, as they learn and gain an understanding of the outside world. The teaching of these skills and strategies can be assisted by the opportunity to explore personally. It has been discovered that this can enhance their abilities in STEM fields. Evidence: “A growing body of research suggests spatial skills and strategies are related to greater performance in mathematics and science. Further, findings suggest that spatial reasoning can be taught, leading to improvements in success in the skills critical for performance in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—STEM fields” (Davis & Cashdan, 2020) Rebuttal: Spacial skills and strategies can be developed in other manners that are far safer and regulated than letting a child roam free in the streets. All of the same free range activities can be done to an identical degree with an adult. Bike rides, roaming and exploration exercises are extremely important, and they can remain to be led by a child, but with an adult present in the activity. This leads to a far safer environment for the child, and causes much less stress for the parent. Point 2: Trains fear, harm avoidance, learning from mistakes Taking a risk and making a mistake is the quickest way to learn something new, especially with regards to young children. It is crucial in a child’s development to establish fear and caution when navigating the real world. These are the traits and qualities that will help keep them away from harm. A child who is introduced too late to the harms and dangers of the real world may be less likely to exercise caution when conducting themselves. A study at Cambridge University discovered that the trait of harm avoidance remains present through young adults to the same degree, even while the trait social phobia is reduced (Faytout et al., 2020). Establishing that harm avoidance is a trait which is separate from social phobia. Harm avoidance is crucial to be established and developed in children, and direct conditioning is the best way to develop fear in a child (LoBue, 2019) Evidence: Harm avoidance plays a significant role in shaping travel patterns and spatial performance, particularly among females who are more fearful generally (Campbell, 1999) and more cautious about navigation specifically. Given that women must manage both the energetic costs of carrying infants (Jones, 1986) and the risk of getting lost or hurt, it is not surprising that men report higher self-confidence and lower anxiety when encountering novel environments (Devlin & Bernstein, 1995; Lawton, 1994). Rebuttal:

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