Video: What were playgrounds like 100 years ago
2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55
You may not have even thought about it, but children's playgrounds have appeared relatively recently. The first was in 1837 in Germany. In America - in 1887. Well, then they began to multiply around the world.
Initially, it was thought that playgrounds would help children develop social skills and manners, as well as strengthen physically. Agree, a good goal. However, I think very few of you would agree to let your son or daughter go to such a playground today. Because my eyes start to twitch just from glancing at old photographs.
Photo (hereinafter): US Library of Congress / Public Domain.
By today's standards: too high, too small sides.
The pictures I show are over 100 years old. Most were made in Chicago, Detroit, and New York in the early 1900s and are on file at the Library of Congress and are free for distribution. So, when I first came across footage with old playgrounds on the net, I felt uncomfortable for several reasons.
Playground in Jersey City.
Does anyone feel dizzy? Chicago, 1912.
First, very high. Who could possibly design such a thing? After all, it is plastic and soft coatings in playgrounds today. And then there was wood, iron and earth (often asphalt). If you fall, you won't collect bones! This is the second thing. Third, there are surprisingly few adults in the pictures. Children are mostly on their own, have fun as you want. I remember how I walked with my sons, did not go far, covered with my palm potentially dangerous sharp corners and places "for blows", helped to get up or down.
Some believe that today's children have become softer and weaker. Do you agree?
New York, 1910.
But here's what really surprised me: this is how some modern psychologists relate to today's children's play complexes. In short: no delight at all. In their opinion, the playgrounds used to teach a lot to boys and girls. Yes, if you fall, it will hurt. But gradually, step by step, the children learned to deal with their fears. In fact, this is the same method that is popular with psychotherapists today. Children must learn to take risks and overcome fears. And many playgrounds in the XXI century are so “vanilla” that the guys are simply bored.
It seems that the ladies are in no way inferior in dexterity to the gentlemen.
New York, Bronx Park, 1911.
In the comments to such retro photos heated debates regularly unfold on various forums … Someone writes that they feel bad from one sight. Others note that there are no chubby children among the children and suggest that food used to be natural and healthier. Still others point out that girls are also not afraid of high slides and swings, strong and athletic.
The boys on the swing take your breath away!
This complex was called the "jungle".
And what playgrounds were during your youth, aren't the pictures of the playgrounds of the early 20th century scary? Would you allow your children to run there? Share your opinion in the comments!
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