Every generation waxes nostalgic about the simpler times of their youth. I’ve seen it with Boomers, with Gen Xers, and even Millennials reminisce about “back in my day.” Recently, I had a conversation with a thoughtful Gen Z individual about how different “kids” are today. What we often fail to realize is that we’re both wrong and right about this matter.
Most people bemoan the loss of simpler times because as children everything is naturally simpler. As babies we were fed. As children we were protected. As teens we were guided into adulthood. What truly changed as each generation grew up? Was it modern times or simply the nature of taking on more responsibilities? Well, both.
In longing for simpler days, many adults don’t factor in the natural responsibilities that come with growing older. Additionally, we often ignore the complex challenges modern life places on kids (and on us) – burdens that are often sold as “progress.”
Modern Complexity
Think about the last time you lived without your cell phone! When you waited for a friend to show up, you just waited. You were alone with your thoughts. Things or events in your immediate environment piqued your interest. Maybe you noticed a stranger sitting next to you and started a conversation.
And remember when the news didn’t happen 24 hours a day? Yes, bad things happened on this earth, but you only heard about them while reading a newspaper or tuning in to the evening news at 6 p.m. Nobody gets their news that way anymore. Now? Kids today see it in their social media feeds.
When Boomers were kids, they had nothing to do except go outside. TV was a new invention that not every family could afford. Books mostly came from a local library. Now, parents can order any book for their child, available to read (or listen to) online in seconds. Kids can meet their friends in Fortnite and create their own action-adventure story as whatever pop culture character they want to be.
Constant Availability
Having the always-on pocket internet gives us the perception that we can and should have whatever we want at all times. This web of complexity feels confusing. Meanwhile, out in nature, nothing is instantly accessible to our whims. Sure, the berries in that patch taste great today, but the berries weren’t ripe yesterday and may be gone tomorrow. Want to be warm? You need to find and gather wood. Want to eat? You need to forage cattail shoots, find a fresh rabbit run, and catch it with your nettle cordage snare. Or wade through a stream hunting for crayfish before snacking on miner’s lettuce. Nature isn’t instant and you have to work for it, which means you appreciate it more.
True Childhood Simplicity
Yes, your childhood probably was simpler because we had less technology holding us captive in a complex web of remote, digital communication. And when it came to raising kids, this aspect was often simpler for our parents. They did not have to consciously arrange your life, make playdates, or navigate a constantly changing maze of online safety protocols. Now we do. We know that any limits we place on our kids potentially remove them from their predominant social groups. Minecraft, Discord, Fortnite, and Friendster (thank you for still paying attention) have replaced the park or backwoods where kids used to meet up and play together. Parenting today is more difficult and that kinda sucks.
Yet, this is NOT a blog where some hippie nature educator lectures you to take away all cell phones and send your child outside for some good old-fashioned creek walking. (Though if you do, more power to ya.) It’s much harder than that for most parents. And these decisions are difficult to make on our own. Better to make them with a collection of adults at schools, neighborhoods, and in the community.
Our kids do need simpler options. They need real-life adventures with peers. They need to experience the forest as their teacher. But they also cannot be left in an empty social void. Alternatives are essential. That’s why I’m focused on programs like Trackers A-Team Apprenticeship, where the goal is for kids to develop the skills they need to camp out in the woods with friends. On their own—without parents or teachers.
Moving Forward Connected
But even a Trackers program is NOT enough (nor is it for everyone). Now is the time for parents to have the crucial conversation about how we can bring back the best of those simpler times while retaining the healthy progress made by our communities. It’s time to have a challenging discussion about what we should give up and what we should refocus on.
To me, “Natural Connection” is a better goal to aim for than Simpler Times. Natural Connection is the one element in the modern equation that always loses ground to “progress.” Natural face-to-face connection where we truly talk to each other. Naturally being present in your surrounding environment, especially with the more-than-human world. And naturally getting lost in your thoughts until you realize you aren’t thinking at all, just experiencing the quiet space around you.
Rediscovering these Natural Connections can transform our children’s lives and our own. Let’s embark on this journey together, embracing the simple joys of nature and the profound lessons it offers.
For Consideration: We are exploring hosting a series of parent and family gatherings with other organizations about these challenging conversations. Let us know at hello@trackersearth.com if this interests you.