We are telling our kids that nature is in the past and it probably doesn't count anymore, the future is in electronics, the boogeyman is in the woods, and playing outdoors is probably illicit and possibly illegal.
Richard LouvRead
It's easy to blame the nature-deficit disorder on the kids' or the parents' back, but they also need the help of urban planners, schools, libraries and other community agents to find nature that's accessible.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights that addressing the lack of access to nature requires more than parental responsibility; it involves community efforts as well.
Richard Louv's quote emphasizes that the issue of 'nature-deficit disorder' cannot be solely attributed to children's or parents' actions. It points out the need for collaboration among urban planners, schools, libraries, and other community organizations to create accessible natural environments for families, suggesting that collective responsibility is crucial for fostering a connection to nature.
Themes
NatureCommunityUrban PlanningChildrenAccessibility
In practice
Example use cases
During a presentation on child development, this quote could illustrate the importance of community involvement in providing natural play spaces.
More from Richard Louv
All quotes βNow, more than ever, we need nature as a balancing agent.
Richard LouvRead
The future will belong to the nature-smart...Th e more high-tech we become, the more nature we need.
Richard LouvRead
We have such a brief opportunity to pass on to our children our love for this Earth, and to tell our stories. These are the moments when the world is made whole. In my children's memories, the adventures we've had together in nature will always exist.
Richard LouvRead
Nature-deficit disorder describes the human costs of alienation from nature, among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses. The disorder can be detected in individuals, families, and communities.
Richard LouvRead
A lot of people think they need to give up nature to become adults but that's not true. However, you have to be careful how you describe and define 'nature.'
Richard LouvRead
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