10 ways childhood has changed dramatically in the last 25 years

Our world is changing every second, so much so that what it means to be a child has changed dramatically over the past 25 years. From the news to social expectations and the connections we develop with our neighbors, nothing ever stands still. The same applies to children. Their daily lives are always changing, their parenting styles are always changing, and the expectations we hold of them are never the same, sometimes even from day to day.

How Iowa State Historical Society As noted, the lives of children reflect the opportunities and culture in which they live. As the conversation about the younger generation becomes a major topic of conversation online, it is also impossible to ignore all the changes in social discourse and technological advancements that have dramatically changed what childhood looks like over the past few decades.

Here are 10 ways childhood has changed dramatically over the past 25 years.

1. Children should not be left unattended until much later.

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According to Jonathan Haidt, co-author “The Tenderness of the American Mind.” children are treated as children for a much longer period of time than older generations. From being left alone at home to being allowed to leave the house alone, older generations admit they were closer to 6 years old, while Generation Alpha and Z children were only given that luxury in their teens.

Despite lower crime rate todayMany families have experienced “media chaos” that has influenced parents’ choices – fear of danger caused by disturbing news and films keeps parents from voluntarily sending their children alone.

Without the freedom to explore, enjoy nature and get out of the house later, more children than ever mental health problems such as anxiety disorders develop much earlier in life than their peers just a few decades ago.

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2. Kids are more dependent on technology than ever.

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From communicating directly with parents to communicating online and navigating new cities using cellular GPS systems, younger generations of children today are increasingly reliant on technology in their lives. Report on Teens and Teens by Common Sense Studies in Media shows that as of 2021, almost 42% of children had a mobile phone by the time they turned 10 years old.

Technology and social media, used by parents as a cover for surveillance and a connection to the outside world for children, have become ingrained in children’s daily lives. According to the data, almost half of teenagers even admit that they are “always” on social media. Pew Research 2022 study.

3. Children spend more time studying.

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According to University of Michigan studyChildren today spend an average of 7.5 hours more per week on homework than children the same age 20 years ago. Along with the increased use of technology, social media and increased desire to achieve academic and extracurricular successmany young people do not have the opportunity to spend free time in everyday life.

Their calendars are filled to the brim with homework, online communication, travel with sports teamsand other extracurricular activities, many children don’t even have the opportunity to play outside, hang out with friends or spend time with family that older people treasure from their childhood memories.

4. Children no longer play recreational sports.

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With the growth of sports specialization, financial barriers to joining children’s sports teams and the tendency of families to enroll their children in recreational sports from an early age. lack of availability of recreational sports is one of the major ways in which childhood has changed radically over the past 25 years.

Children (and their parents in particular) are being squeezed out of these everyday sports that were once intended to promote social connection and exercise for young children. Now these teams are used to produce star specialized athletes who pay the price for expensive equipment, traveling tournaments and fame.

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5. Children now have greater access to friends and family, no matter where they live.

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WITH increased access to technologyit is impossible to ignore the benefits this connection has brought to young children seeking to make connections and foster healthy relationships. Talking to their grandparents is just a click away. Making plans with a friend or seeking support in times of need is no longer a hassle – just a text message is enough.

Today, children can make connections online that are not only convenient, but also well suited to their interests, needs and experiences. Bye full-time “third places”, designed to strengthen social connections have now become worse for younger generations, they have access to unique online communities that are often better suited to their identity.

Not only can this help today’s children feel less lonely, especially if they have struggled to make friends or find a personal community, but it can also encourage self-expression and confidence in their identity taking shape.

6. Children today are held to more stringent standards for academic achievement.

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The growth of standardized testing in school districts and curriculums across the country has not only contributed to increase in student mental health problemsLike academic anxiety and burnout, this has reinforced unrealistic expectations for academic success in many of today’s children.

According to Lisa Tunnell, M.Ed.this increase in testing harmed the self-esteem of previously high-achieving students and even affected the effectiveness and dedication of teachers.

Although disputes about the state of education of today’s children troubling even in the best of times, there are some benefits to today’s students who now have access to online learning and more non-traditional learning methods.

7. In general, modern children are physically healthier.

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Bye Nuffield Foundation report 2021 states that while children today are healthier on average than they were 25 years ago, there are some barriers to long-term access to health care and health disparities that have emerged over the past 5 years, especially in vulnerable communities across the country.

Uninsured Children I’m more likely to be left unattended today due to high costs, Vaccination rates have dropped and plateauedand childhood obesity rates have increased exponentially.

Thus, although today there is a trend towards improved health for many children simply due to medical advances, the availability of vaccinations and specialized medical care, it is almost impossible to compare trends across generations given the social and financial barriers of our modern world.

8. Children engage in more organized play than casual activities.

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While 25 years ago children were more involved in casual, independent and “free” play, today’s children are more focused on screen time and organized activities.

Many experts suggest that this shift in play today, compared to two decades ago, is alarming not only in terms of creating healthy spaces for self-expression, but also in terms of developing cognitive abilities and independence at an early age. This not only contributes increase in mental health problems at an early age, but this reduces the level of natural free will and worsens the chances of developing important social skills.

9. Children are more worried about worldly events and politics than before.

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Thanks to technological advancements and access to more information, news, and evidence online, children—more specifically, tweens and teens—are more worried about political situations, world events, climate change, and other newsworthy headlines than older generations at the same age.

According to Amy Morin, clinical social worker and author of article in Psychology Today about the growing anxiety in children today.their heightened awareness of traditional and social media contributes to a feeling of helplessness about their future that feels too overwhelming and overwhelming to truly contribute to.

10. Parents of modern children are more stressed and distracted.

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While the reality for many families on a day-to-day basis is as stressful and anxious as it was for many households two decades ago, the reality of this impact on their children is much more common today. According to US Surgeon General’s recommendation48% of parents admit that most of their days are spent under severe stress. They’re not just burnt out at work or struggling with increasing financial insecurity, they lack the support and healthy coping mechanisms they need to show up for their own well-being—let alone the well-being of their own children.

For children who grew up in such stressful families as Gen Z adults entering the labor force For the first time, their parents’ heightened anxiety and the troubling experience of providing for their family have already changed the dynamics of their workplace.

As more younger generations of children and teens grow into adulthood, it is likely that this pattern will continue, causing a shift in our workplace expectations, culture, and society’s response to overwhelming financial stress and anxiety.

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Zaida Slabbekorn is a news and entertainment columnist at YourTango, specializing in health and wellness, social policy and human interest stories.