What Is the Worst Thing About Childhood?

What Is the Worst Thing About Childhood?

What is the worst thing about childhood?

Every single vacation, I swear, if I go remotely close to a railing bordering a body of water or cliff, my dad has a heart attack—as if I’m standing on top of the railing, with my body parallel to the ocean.  

As a child, I couldn’t have pinecone wars with my cousins. Couldn’t ride atop my younger siblings like horses. My generation was chained to the most bogus concept ever—safety. Helmets, science goggles, sunscreen, training wheels, life jackets, fire drills, and worst of all, those pesky assemblies on mental health (which I’m sure created even more mentally-unstable children). We’re told over and over: “Look both ways.” “Don’t talk to strangers.” “Stay away from squirrels.” Even some of our beloved playground equipment is deemed unsafe. (No wonder children are fatter.) And consumer products are now child-proof, non-toxic, BPA-free, fire resistant, etc.

            This issue of over-emphasized safety is becoming increasingly more significant for my generation. First of all, we have to pay for all these pesky regulations that “promise” safety. More importantly, not only do we lament the amount of youthful vitality robbed from us, but we also witness the younger generations subject to even stricter rules. These rules squeeze the curiosity and adventure out of us. They deprive us of a crucial part of our development. Giving us freedom lets us figure out we’re doing something unthinking through trial and error, instead of the hackneyed “because I said so.” It’s how we acquire reason, creativity, and confidence. Ultimately, this safety obsession stunts psychological and physical growth.  

            We’ve become like cattle, prodded along by authority figures. These “enlightened” adults—parents and teachers—seem intent on making life as soft as a pillow for kids. And we blindly follow them out of fear of punishment. Contrary to what our “wise” elders think, pain is healthy. In fact, pain is worth it. I’d rather get bruised from a pinecone bomb than play Flappy Bird on Grandma’s IPad.

It is curious how applicable this issue is to adulthood. The powers that be don’t only cushion the corner of tables for children. Banks, auto-industries, or simply financially-troubled individuals—all have guaranteed back-ups provided by society like dependent children. A brawl then erupts for the safety nets with different interest groups fighting over the rights of others, while inspecting and regulating anything that moves. In the end, we’re all robbed of our potential and dignity, all in the name of caution and comfort. I am reminded of Benjamin Franklin’s pertinent words: “Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither.”

            Adults choke the vitality out of children—ostensibly “for their own good”. And we grow into adults who perpetrate the same injustices by suppressing each other. Do we pathetically clamor for more safety or face the thrill of risk and the challenge of responsibility? We must recognize that freedom to make choices is not only freedom to make mistakes—it is also freedom to succeed and to transcend oneself.