Are children actually losing touch with nature, or is their experience different from what it was 120 years ago?

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916520937457

Explanation

This study compares children's experiences with nature with data from the early twentieth century and investigates whether this can contribute to explaining the loss of experience and the change in children's relationship with nature.

A questionnaire first published in 1900 was used and tested by ANOVA.

The results showed no differences in the level of experience according to the age of the respondents, and a comparison of the historical data with the current data by means of a Z-test of proportions and Cohen's h showed a significant increase in the summary experience of modern children.

Children in the 21st century have less experience with traditional coarse-growing activities and biotechnology, but much more experience with nature, according to the study.

It has been suggested that this is related to recreational and field trip activities. There is no discernible decrease in experience between generations, but there is a summary increase in experience.