Why Do Black Parents Let Their Kids Play Outside At Such A Late Hour?

“The Talk” is a conversation between Black parents and their children, addressing specific potential encounters related to racism. This conversation is universal and is crucial for raising children of color. The recent deaths of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery have highlighted the need for conversations about race in America. Black parents often teach their children how to deal with police if they encounter them, but this is a difficult and sad conversation. It is important for parents of color to inoculate their children against derogatory and racist comments, strengthening them so that they become less affected.

Black parents have given their children the same lecture: don’t act out, stay away from bad places, and avoid confrontations. However, the conversation has evolved over time, with some parents allowing sleepovers and others allowing them to stay home as soon as they are legal. This is not just about a curfew, but also about where they are, who they are with, and how they get home.

Black parents have had to adapt their parenting styles to the threats faced by black people in the US. They now prefer keeping their children indoors, and black parents must tell their teenage children that they may be stopped, arrested, or even shot because of their skin color. This is exhausting for both parents and kids, as they expend mental energy making their case and pursuing all angles.

Over time, African American parents have used their authority and instilled a form of oppression into their children, which is not only exhausting for parents but also for their children.

Why do parents want their child to go outside?

Playing outside is beneficial for kids’ health and environmental well-being, regardless of weather conditions. Scientific evidence suggests that children of all ages enjoy outdoor play, and more time spent in nature leads to better stewardship of the planet. Nature can be found in various settings, such as school playgrounds, backyards, table-top gardens, and virtual gardens. To find nearby parks, search for zip codes and public green spaces with features and programs for all ages and abilities. This helps children develop into responsible stewards of the environment.

Is 10pm too late for an 8 year old?

The recommended bedtime for children aged 0-2 years old is between 8:00 and 9:00 pm, while 3-5 years old should sleep between 7:00 and 8:00 pm, 6-12 years old between 7:30 and 8:30 pm, and 13-18 years old around 10:00 pm. However, teenagers may struggle to fall asleep until around 11 pm once puberty hits. Parents should also consider the time their child needs to wake up to prepare for the day. Each developmental stage presents unique challenges for bedtime, so it’s essential to establish a bedtime routine and stick to it.

A warm bath followed by quiet time can help babies and toddlers wind down before sleep. As children grow older, this process will gradually shift, but it’s unlikely to interfere with the bedtime routine.

When should kids not be outside?

To introduce your baby to hot weather, gradually increase outdoor time over a 10- to 14-day period, taking breaks every 15 to 30 minutes during extreme weather. Be cautious in temperatures above 90 F or 84 F with 70 percent humidity, and avoid draping blankets over your stroller or car seat for sun protection. Avoid breathable fabrics, as they can pose suffocation risks and increase the risk of baby overheating.

Use “mom intuition” if you’re unsure about your baby’s safety in the heat. If you feel too hot, sweaty, or uncomfortable, it’s likely your baby is in need of air conditioning. For older children, ensure they are hydrated and taking rest breaks.

On very hot days, avoid overdressing your baby and leave an extra layer or light blanket in the car. A light-colored short-sleeved onesie for young babies may be the best outfit, as long as it keeps them out of direct sun. Hats are also helpful for infants and older children, especially those with little or no hair.

What to do if your parents won’t let you go outside?

Parents often want their children to say no to a plan, but it’s important to communicate their expectations and reassure them that the destination is safe, the people are decent, and there’s no intention of anything illegal or dangerous. Sending them a text every hour for the first few times can help put their minds at rest. Keep calm when discussing your plans, as parents are more likely to be convinced by a mature young adult. Don’t spoil the conversation by making demands, threats, or losing your temper.

Accept defeat and be proactive, as even if parents say no, react in a mature way. Thank them for listening and don’t get angry or yell at them. Remember to be a mature young adult, not a temper tantrum toddler, and your mature reaction should impress them, potentially leading to a change in their decision.

Why do my parents not allow me to go outside?

Parents often worry about their children’s behavior and potential negative consequences, often focusing on the negatives of others’ actions. They may also be aware of the negative news about young people’s troubles and struggle to accept that their children are growing into young adults. Despite these concerns, socializing with friends is essential for a person’s development and growth. However, it is important for parents to recognize that their children’s ability to socialize with friends is crucial for various reasons, including personal growth, self-esteem, and overall well-being.

Why shouldn’t kids stay up late?

Sleep is crucial for the brain’s development and happiness, impacting alertness, attention, cognitive performance, mood, flexibility, vocabulary acquisition, learning, and memory. It is especially important in early childhood, where naps are necessary to enhance memory and motor skills. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends recommended sleep hours for children. Insufficient sleep can lead to various health issues.

Why don’t parents let their kids go outside anymore?

The increasing urbanization of the world, with nearly 50% of people living in urban areas, has made outdoor play more challenging for children. Poorly designed outdoor spaces also make it difficult for children to enjoy nature. Fear, a fearful society, has intensified since the 1980s, leading to concerns about safety and environmental risks. Technology has also become a significant factor, with 8-18-year-olds spending an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes on entertainment media daily.

Time pressures have led to an overly structured lifestyle, preventing children from enjoying free play outdoors. Education trends have also been impacted, with recess time and physical education classes being threatened in many schools. To address these issues, it is essential to spend more time outside as a family, keeping outdoor time unstructured, planning day trips based on outdoor experiences, enrolling children in outdoor sports and summer camps, teaching them to “stop and smell the roses”, lobbying for school to keep physical education and recess on schedules, starting a nature group at school, getting involved in community gardens or local environmental groups, and minimizing technology use in the home. Common Sense Media offers valuable resources to explore. By taking these steps, we can help our children’s wellbeing by promoting outdoor play and reducing technology use in our homes.

Which parenting style is most commonly used by African American parents?

Research indicates that African American (AA) families have higher levels of authoritarian parenting than European American (EA) families, and these attitudes may be associated with more positive outcomes. However, there is less knowledge about authoritarian attitudes and children’s development within AA families. A study of 50 African American mothers and their 3-year-old children examined associations between maternal authoritarian attitudes, observed maternal limit-setting strategies, and children’s self-regulation during a limit-setting interaction.

The findings indicate that while AA families may hold more authoritarian attitudes than EA families, the direction of effect of authoritarian attitudes on children’s outcomes appears to be the same in both ethnic groups. In this sample, less or lower authoritarian attitudes were associated with authoritative limit-setting behavior (firm limits within the context of overall warmth and responsiveness) and better children’s self-regulation.

Parenting attitudes, which are based on parents’ social cognitions and beliefs about their children’s development, can shape parenting practices and behaviors, the emotional tone they set while interacting with their children, and their child-rearing environment.

How long should a 13 year old be outside?

Outdoor time is beneficial for children and young adults, as it improves their physical and mental health, reduces the risk of myopia, and stimulates correct eye growth. Research shows that spending at least 13 hours per week outdoors reduces the likelihood of children becoming myopic. Ideally, children should aim for two hours of outdoor time daily to delay or prevent myopia. Sun protection is also important, as the light brightness outdoors is strong enough for beneficial effects.

The visual environment, including how much time children spend outdoors and indoor activities, can influence their vision, eye health, and general health. Outdoor time should be balanced with activities that promote physical activity, such as wearing a hat, sunglasses, and staying in the shade. Three easy rules for outdoor time include:

1. Spend time outdoors with your child, focusing on activities that stimulate eye growth and provide sunlight.
2. Wear sunscreen and hats when outdoors, and limit physical activity to prevent sun damage.

What is the African parenting style?

In the African context, parents often make explicit decisions over matters that concern their children, leading to timidity and reluctance for children to voice their opinions due to fear of punishment. This often results in attempts to express views on issues that children feel uncomfortable about within the family, which can result in reprimands or punishment. Recognizing children’s right to express their views does not mean that adults no longer have responsibilities towards them.

Instead, it requires recognizing the value of their experiences, views, and concerns. The family remains the most ideal set up for children to learn and express themselves, and knowing that their parents or caregivers regard their feelings, experiences, or desires contributes to their sense of balance and responsibility.

This publication has given children across Africa a platform to talk about parenting by expressing their real-life stories of how they relate with their parents and caregivers in their environments. It highlights the happy moments, challenges, and struggles they go through as they relate to adults and how parenting styles and approaches have shaped them. Children’s views reflect a wide range of concerns and opinions, and it underscores the need to talk to children, let them know about their families and communities, and have them contribute their opinions to critical decisions that affect their lives.

Should I let my 14 year old stay up late?

Sleep challenges are prevalent among teenagers, with around 70% reporting inadequate sleep on school nights. This is due to the body’s internal clock shifts during teen years, with melatonin levels not rising until around 10:30 or 11 p. m., making it difficult for teens to sleep until 7:30 or 8 a. m. School start times often prevent this option. Some teens prefer late evening hours, which are considered energetic, intellectually productive, and creative. However, for these “night owl” teens, it is crucial to provide ample light exposure and physical activity upon waking and have dimmer lighting around the house during the evening hours.

To ensure regular sleep, teens should set a consistent wake-up time and build a sleep schedule around it. This should be within a two-hour window every day of the week, allowing the body’s internal clock to run smoothly and avoiding the difficulty of readingjusting and getting up on Monday mornings after sleeping in until noon on weekends.