Nowadays, jungle gyms, teeter-totters, diving boards, and other such equipment has disappeared due to threats of lawsuits. Children can no longer ride on sleds or toboggans, and there have been some news articles about parents being threatened with arrest if they let their kids play outside without supervision. So the only thing kids can do is stay indoors and watch TV or play video games.
Meanwhile, we scratch our heads and wonder why childhood obesity has become such a problem and why such ailments as pediatric type 2 diabetes and even pediatric gout, previously unheard of, are on the rise.
To grow up with no memories of clambering to the top of a jungle gym, speeding down a snow covered hill in a flying saucer and going momentarily airborne, leaping into a pile of Fall leaves; these children are being taught instead to be afraid of... everything.