Last Child in the Woods

Last Child in the Woods, by Richard Louv, is one of those books that everybody should read.  It's of particular importance to parents.  Within the pages, this book addresses and names a malady that has been on the rise, but so far ignored, namely nature-deficit disorder.  While this isn't necessarily a medically recognized condition, the author lays out a convincing case for its existence, and more importantly, what can be done right now, today, to take steps toward a cure.  The children of today no longer play outside, and there are a myriad of reasons.  Many parents, in today's fear culture of never-ending bad news believe (and it's hard to blame them) that it's simply too dangerous to let their kids out untethered.  Also, the legal system, particularly in the U.S., makes free play in parks and wilderness areas bordering cities a potentially litigious affair.  Gone are the days of building tree houses.  Many areas now have ordinances specifically prohibiting such structures, and laws demanding the removal of already existing ones.  Basically, feel free to play in nature, just don't...you know...mess it up or anything.  This disconnect seems to be marching hand-in-hand with the increase in childhood obesity, ADHD, and other disorders.  The author points to study after study showing the power of nature to have significant, immediate, and lasting improvements for such conditions.  He also makes note of groups and such who've experimented with different community designs with very interesting results.  In short, read this, then recommend it to others!