Ep 175: Why do teenagers disconnect from nature and what can we do to help?

The Forest School Podcast

Supporting the podcast at www.patreon.com/theforest school podcast

Get in touch at www.theforestschoolpodcast.com

Train with us at www.children-of-the-forest.com

Summary

The conversation explores the decline in nature connection among teenagers and the challenges of engaging adolescents with nature. It delves into the impact of autonomy, rebellion, and social acceptance on nature connection, as well as the need for outdoor spaces for teenagers to congregate without judgment. The discussion also highlights the importance of intrinsic motivation and play in fostering nature connection in adolescents. The conversation explores the impact of social expectations and judgment on teenagers' nature connection, the role of technology in forging new connections with nature, and the changing definition of nature connection as individuals transition from childhood to adolescence. It also delves into the need to remove moral judgments from assessing nature connection and the importance of research in understanding and providing opportunities for nature connection.

Takeaways

Teenagers experience a decline in nature connection, with a significant dip between the ages of 13 and 18, followed by a gradual climb back up to early childhood levels by the age of 30.

The need for autonomy, rebellion, and social acceptance influences teenagers' engagement with nature, and providing outdoor spaces for teenagers to congregate without judgment is crucial for fostering nature connection.

Intrinsic motivation and play play a significant role in nurturing nature connection in adolescents, and the focus should be on facilitating spaces for teenagers to engage with nature on their own terms. Social expectations and judgment can impact teenagers' nature connection, leading to a shift in the definition and experience of nature connection during adolescence.

Technology can be used to forge new connections with nature, and its role in facilitating global nature connection should be recognized and studied.

Removing moral judgments from the assessment of nature connection is essential, and research is needed to understand and provide opportunities for nature connection, especially for teenagers.

The changing definition of nature connection as individuals transition from childhood to adolescence highlights the need for a broader understanding and approach to nature connection at different life stages.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Sunday Sessions with Lewis and Wem

03:17 The Decline in Nature Connection Among Teenagers

07:31 Challenges of Engaging Adolescents with Nature

15:14 The Impact of Autonomy and Social Acceptance on Nature Engagement

24:12 The Impact of Social Expectations on Teenagers' Nature Connection

37:20 Technology and Nature Connection: Forging New Connections

45:35 The Changing Definition of Nature Connection in Adolescence