Disabling the Bogeyman Syndrome: Let Kids Play
Presenter Hometown
Richmond, KY
Major
Recreation and Parks Administration
Department
Recreation and Park Administration
Degree
Undergraduate
Mentor
Jon McChesney
Mentor Department
Recreation and Park Administration
Recommended Citation
Banks, Qkiyonna L., "Disabling the Bogeyman Syndrome: Let Kids Play" (2017). University Presentation Showcase Event. 78.
https://encompass.eku.edu/swps/2017/undergraduate/78
Abstract
Play is a critically important facet of child development given that it helps the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive functioning of the individual. The importance of play in reducing child obesity is also significant given the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicating that obesity has more than tripled since the 1970’s. Play is a key element of weight management, however, the amount of time children play has been significantly reduced. Some research estimates that children today spend only four to seven minutes a day in outdoor, unstructured play (Gray, 2011; Sampson, 2015). The reasons for this decline range from increased technology usage such as television and computer games to parents being more fearful of allowing their children to play outdoors. Louv (2008) termed this parental fear the Bogeyman Syndrome, where parents have extreme anxiety of their child being molested or abducted if outdoors playing. The lack of play has serious repercussions including anxiety, depression and even suicide (Gray, 2011). This study included a literature review of barriers to play as well as interviews with recreation and park professionals on attempts to minimize parental fears in the delivery of play experiences.
Presentation format
Poster
Poster Number
100
Disabling the Bogeyman Syndrome: Let Kids Play
Play is a critically important facet of child development given that it helps the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive functioning of the individual. The importance of play in reducing child obesity is also significant given the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicating that obesity has more than tripled since the 1970’s. Play is a key element of weight management, however, the amount of time children play has been significantly reduced. Some research estimates that children today spend only four to seven minutes a day in outdoor, unstructured play (Gray, 2011; Sampson, 2015). The reasons for this decline range from increased technology usage such as television and computer games to parents being more fearful of allowing their children to play outdoors. Louv (2008) termed this parental fear the Bogeyman Syndrome, where parents have extreme anxiety of their child being molested or abducted if outdoors playing. The lack of play has serious repercussions including anxiety, depression and even suicide (Gray, 2011). This study included a literature review of barriers to play as well as interviews with recreation and park professionals on attempts to minimize parental fears in the delivery of play experiences.
