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Published on Visualizing Ecology (http://www2.evergreen.edu/visecofall)

Caity Aldrich

In Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv made many good and bad points about the youth of todays disconnect with nature. Through using his writing ability and own experiences, this story for a parent this is a useful tool.

 

The book had an appealing beginning, with personal stories that seemed relatable, to reasons why America’s youth was having such with drawls from its natural habitat. It also brought up how, through time, America has evolved from three frontiers. That through each frontier, parts of nature, and experiencing it with children has been lost.  All these stories and research given really pulled at my emotions, wishing that a difference could be made for the future.

 

Although there were many valid points in the begging of the story, towards the middle to end it began to feel repetitive. Also, the statistics and stories felt stretched to support Louv’s point. That is when, in my opinion it started becoming too one-sided. One story in particular stuck in my mind was when Louv interviewed children at Southwood grade school. He said of one of them, “she was one of those exceptional children who do still spend time outside, in solitude” (13). I thought this was a weird when he used the word exceptional. It was like he put his personal feelings into the interview, implying that the other children were not up to his standards.

 

After reading the book, I felt really inspired to attempt not to be a stereo-type of a third frontier youth. Someday, to try and raise my own food, instead of just being a vegetarian eating food from a health food store. Trying new ways to incorporate green living into a way of life. The book was a useful literary device for its target audience, parents.

 

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Source URL:
http://www2.evergreen.edu/visecofall/visecofall/caity-aldrich