Children will be discouraged long-term because they can't play outside
Children need time to play. Playing is engaging for the brain and body. Without playing, children become depressed and grow into suffering adults. With the coronavirus putting places all over the world in quarantine, children are suffering from the solitude.
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Context
COVID-19 (coronavirus) broke out in China during December 2019. In January 2020, the virus spread to other countries like Thailand and Japan. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. As each country had the virus spread, schools have closed temporarily in accordance with quarantine procedures. Quarantine has also constricted times when civilians can be outside.
The Argument
After the coronavirus became a pandemic, countries worldwide have implemented self-quarantines. People must stay in their houses unless they absolutely have to leave the house. It has caused a lot of pressure because people’s lives have been upended. But it’s been worse for children.
Children are known for playing outside. It’s a stimulating experience that keeps their minds curious and developing correctly. The benefits of playing outside include being exposed to the sun’s UV rays, which offer Vitamin D, fresh air, and exposure to organisms such as plants. Unfortunately, quarantine has caused children to miss out on those outside opportunities.
Children can’t go out and play as freely as they would like to. When children can’t play outside, they suffer. Studies have shown that when children don’t play outside, they become anxious and depressed.[1] Playing outside provides room for the imagination to grow, which ultimately leads to developing problem-solving skills.
Children need to play outside. If the coronavirus causes people to stay in quarantine, children won’t be able to enjoy the benefits of being outside. It’s only a matter of time before it takes a toll on young minds. If quarantine continues for too long, the idea of children enjoying outdoors might be lost forever.
Counter arguments
Quarantine has made playing outside an obstacle, but it is possible. Although people are in quarantine, they can practice it on their property. If their property has a backyard, then children can play in that backyard. So children are still able to play outside.
If a family doesn’t have a backyard, playing inside will be a good substitute. Although playing outside has its benefits, such as sun exposure, the concept of playing can happen anywhere. Children can still use their imaginations if parents buy blocks or toys for them to play with indoors. Building an indoor fort will also stimulate their imagination.
Playing in general is good for a child. It increases skills that a child needs for crucial development. Without any way to play, children will become anxious and depressed whether they go outside a lot or not. That’s why it doesn’t matter where they play.
Proponents
Premises
[P1] Quarantine has made children separated from outside play.
[P2] The longer they’re kept in quarantine, the more depressed they’ll get.
Rejecting the premises
[Rejecting P1] Children can play in their backyard or indoors.
[Rejecting P2] Children will become depressed without play in general; it doesn't have to be outdoors as long as it's imaginative and engaging play.