Everything is scheduled, coached, overseen by adults and is based on sports and you must win. There are not many sandlot games, exploration of the world, games like red rover, kick the can, crack the whip, hide and seek, etc. I can remember going entire days with the only adult being mother, and she just fed you at mealtime, otherwise you were on your own. You had to stand up to bullies, kidding from your pals, and fights among friends, on your own. If you got a bloody nose you wiped it on your sleeve and went on playing. We (at about 10 to 12 years old) took our BB guns and had wars, and went hunting with .22 rifles. All without someone looking over your shoulder. Our parents would be charged with child neglect in todays world.

Jim, nothing beats a good game of kick the can.