What Is Nature Deficit Syndrome

Our Relationship with Nature: Do children suffer from “Nature-Deficit Disorder?” Nature can be defined as the natural resources that have been on earth for several years such as trees, the ocean, animals, sand, the desert and so on. In our technological era, we have neglected the true understanding of nature. The genuineness of nature is when we are emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually engaged with the natural world around us; it is also when we can touch and use our senses with our surroundings. Our generation plays a role in how children perceive nature and it is not a positive one. We chop down trees; we tell children that national parks are for the scenery and not for playing; we ruin our forests and pollute our air. We have demolished what …show more content…
Another factor that encourages nature-deficit syndrome in children is the parents. Although, we hear our parents say, “Get off your phone and go outside,” they are also the reason we would prefer to stay indoors. Parents have many fears and among them is the social media induced fear of stranger kidnappings; this is where the problem lies. Parents want to protect their children at all costs, but such fears may cloud their thinking. Parents have a strong influence on their children and if they discourage them from leaving the house once, the child will use it as an excuse to stay indoors and watch television. Louv stated, “Unlike television, nature does not steal time; it amplifies it. Nature inspires creativity in a child by demanding visualization and the full use of the senses” (2006, p.7). The benefits of nature are far greater than parental fear or electronics. Louv (2006) not only believed that nature-deficit syndrome came from children and their parents, but it also came from schools, teachers, relatives, leaders, and more, but how can we cure