September 23, 2016 - 16:46
Survival of the fittest, is a topic not only learned in the classroom but also during recess. We are our childhood in almost every aspect. Times are constantly changing but the people we were during play remains constant. “Play” by Porkchop, reminisces on her own experience as the eldest child in a family four children. The scene they present us with is highly romanticized with children playing in the white fence and garden, but they also mention remembering being outside as one of the key aspects to their experience. The author is saddened that her youngest sibling will now face a different childhood of which Porkchop seemed to have enjoyed so much. She understands that play is not only different throughout time but also throughout human development. Porkchop is saddened by a feeling of abandonment she feels her younger sibling experiences now that the other children are now older. But do we really grow out of play? “Taking Play Seriously” by Robin Marantz Henig speaks in depth of the different ideas of that play holds but generally we believe play is good although we accept that fact somewhat blindly. Henig tries to explain the critical role of play since it has evolved throughout time most commonly in mammals. Through examining Henig’s analysis of play as a tool of survival we can understand the common misconception that we do not only not outgrow play but it’s true lifelong beneficial impact.
One important question that Henig presents is, “If play is an extravagance, why has it persisted?” This essay will try to deconstruct play as simply a form of fun freelancing but has the ability to show us who we are at an early age and on who we become. Although not everyone understands the impact plays on who we become, we can try to understand why there is a common notion that play wastes time yet children should play. As Porkchop noted in their experience it was filled with memories of playing with siblings. Though they did not mention the specific role his/her siblings had physically and emotionally interacting with him/her but we can assume there were moments of joy, authority (especially as the eldest child), rejection, failure, and/or sadness. These experiences are very important to the author yet now considers play something of the past because she is now older. Porkchops main concern about his/her sister is that they would be alone in their childhood play because everyone had “outgrown play”. The idea of outgrowing play is interesting because I would disagree with that idea although more things become important in our lives. Play has built a resourceful imprint on us all because it shaped our experiences and lives.
Most of the concern that parents today have is that children are not going outside enough and most of their social interactions are being done online. Henig describes parents as having a “nostalgia-infused yearning” for their children to experience play as they once did just as Porkchop wants for her younger sibling. Yet what both parties lack to wonder, which Henig explains, is why they feel so strongly about play especially since everyone seems to outgrow it and/or sees it as a waste of time. What Henig finds is a few theories that seem to explain why it is so vital. One of which is play as preparation hypothesis which says that play prepares you for adulthood. This does seem true and not only does play prepare children but it keeps one humane. That yearning to return to one’s childhood is because they think it was stress free and fun but there were moment where they experienced their first rejection or humiliation among their peers not only was a learning moment but helped them to sort out what was and was not acceptable on their own terms. The importance of having it done on their own terms is similar to Henig mentions, “children carve out play spaces that have no room for the civilizing influence of adults.” Adults influence as prominent as it is makes playtime all the more valuable because it allows a short rein of self-independence and decision making although much of play mirror’s adult life. This is good because this where kids shape as individuals.
In conclusion, play has evolved with humankind (and other mammal species) for a purpose. That purpose is because it has helped us to survive through experiences with play in understanding one’s own creativity and social norms. Porkchop’s story mostly disagrees with Henig’s Taking Play Seriously argument that play is a tool that helped in our survival throughout time. Porkchops story fits into a similar thinking that play is outgrown but I would disagree because play is a very humanizing factor in our lives. Play may be changing throughout the ages but the different experiences people have with it shapes who they are.