our wild calling
You’ve been writing about the disconnect between children and nature for decades. How did you become interested in this topic?
Growing up in Missouri and Kansas, I spent many hours in the woods with my dog. Often, my parents didn’t know where I was, but my dog always did. Even as a boy, I realised those experiences were meaningful.
When researching my 1990 book, Childhood’s Future, I interviewed nearly 3,000 children and parents across the United States. To my surprise, the topic of children’s relationships with nature often surfaced. Even then, parents and others were reporting a divide between the young and the natural world and the social, spiritual, psychological and environmental implications of this change. But at that point, there was little research about the divide or the benefits of nature to human development.
How has your understanding of our disconnection with nature influenced your parenting?
My sons didn’t have the kind of freedom I had as a boy, but my wife and I consciously made sure they had nature in their lives. We lived near a canyon when the boys were younger, and we encouraged them to build forts and explore behind our house. Later, we often hiked or camped. My boys also grew up fishing, and those are among our best memories together. Fortunately, my parents instinctively gave me a childhood that instilled a love of nature. I hope I’ve passed this love along to my sons.
What issues are children and adults facing regarding their relationship with
