Assignment #2: What is My Environmental Issue?

My environmental issue is Outdoor Recreation. 

As described in the Points of View database (Berger, 2014) there are two main perspectives on this issue. The first states that the importance of outdoor recreation is overstated. The second states that overexposure to media and technology deprives children of healthy outdoor recreation. 

Instructor notes: 

• Facts are statements that can be proved true or false. Facts tell what actually happened. Facts tell what is happening now. Facts state something that can be easily observed or verified.

• Opinions are statements that cannot be proved true or false because they express a person’s thoughts, beliefs, feelings, or estimates. Opinions express worth or value.

Here are three facts and three opinions supporting the perspective "that the importance of outdoor recreation is overstated" - 

• Fact: In a study, over 75 percent of children ages six to twelve stated that it was parental participation that influenced them to engage in outdoor recreation - not presence or absence of technology.
• Fact: Increasingly, jobs in the United States rely on technology rather than manual labor, and a growing number of people work in offices rather than outside.
• Fact: Studies have shown that a main deterrent to outside play is not technology, but "stranger danger" and lack of access to outdoor recreation spaces.
• Opinion: While it is important to keep physically fit and maintain an appreciation for nature, it is equally important to recognize the role technology plays in modern society and to encourage young people to develop their interests and skills in these areas. Instructor note: The word "important" indicates a value judgment that is based on personal beliefs. 
• Opinion: If a young person shows an interest in and aptitude for computers, technology, or media, this should be encouraged rather than discouraged. Instructor note: The word "should" indicates that the statement is based on personal opinion. 
• Opinion: Society is changing; therefore, our priorities for things like extensive outdoor recreation should change too.

Following are three facts and three opinions supporting the alternative view "that overexposure to media and technology deprives children of healthy outdoor recreation" -

• Fact: The Kaiser Family Foundation report concluded that children of parents who do not allow children to have televisions in their bedrooms consume about four hours less a day.
• Fact: Studies have shown an increase in childhood obesity at the same time as a decrease in outdoor play. Instructor note: Beware of correlation versus causation. Just because something happens at the same time doesn't mean it caused it to happen. This is therefore not a strong argument. 
• Fact: A Kaiser Family Foundation study found a significant increase in media consumption by youth over the past 10 years. At the same time, an Outdoor Foundation study found a significant decrease in outdoor recreation participation by youth. Instructor note: Another correlation. 
• Fact: Humans evolved with extensive outdoor play. 
• Opinion:  It's important for a student's social and physical development to play outdoors instead of on digital games. Instructor note: "important" indicates a value judgment that is based on personal beliefs. 
• Opinion: Kids should play outdoors like when I was a kid. This is America. Instructor note: "Should" indicates the statement is based on personal opinion.
• Opinion: With the increasingly portable and ubiquitous nature of media players incorporated into devices like cell phones, parental controls will probably be less meaningful in the future. Instructor note: This is based on speculation and, therefore, cannot be proved.

 Credit: Much of the above was gleaned from

Berger, A. (2014). Outdoor Recreation: Overview. Points of View: Outdoor Recreation, 1