Chasing Childhood (2021)

All work and no play is no way for kids to grow up.

Chasing Childhood (2021) poster

In today's highly charged world of structure, stranger danger, and helicopter parenting, free play in childhood has disappeared, giving way to unprecedented anxiety and depression. This phenomenon impacts kids from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Children's lives are consumed with wall-to-wall activities and constant monitoring-the overprotected, over-directed, over-pressured childhood is the new normal. This film takes us to schools in affluent Wilton, CT; working class Patchogue, NY; and metropolitan Manhattan. Throughout these different stories, a central question emerges: How can we eschew harmful parenting strategies and empower our kids to become their most fully realized, authentic selves? The film offers possible solutions as journalist Lenore Skenazy, evolutionary psychologist Peter Gray, former dean of freshmen at Stanford University Julie Lythcott-Haims, and leaders of the "free play" movement fight to restore a less curated childhood.

Director: Eden Wurmfeld, Margaret Munzer Loeb
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 78 min
Release Date:

Cast

Music: David Cieri
Cinematography: Justin Schein
Editing: Mary Ann Toman
Production: MML Productions
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Original Language: en

Trailer

Chasing Childhood Trailer
More Films by Director: Eden Wurmfeld, Margaret Munzer Loeb
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chasing Childhood about?
In today's highly charged world of structure, stranger danger, and helicopter parenting, free play in childhood has disappeared, giving way to unprecedented anxiety and depression. This phenomenon impacts kids from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Children's lives are consumed with wall-to-wall activities and constant monitoring-the overprotected, over-directed, over-pressured childhood is the new normal. This film takes us to schools in affluent Wilton, CT; working class Patchogue, NY; and metropolitan Manhattan. Throughout these different stories, a central question emerges: How can we eschew harmful parenting strategies and empower our kids to become their most fully realized, authentic selves? The film offers possible solutions as journalist Lenore Skenazy, evolutionary psychologist Peter Gray, former dean of freshmen at Stanford University Julie Lythcott-Haims, and leaders of the "free play" movement fight to restore a less curated childhood.
Who directed Chasing Childhood?
Chasing Childhood was directed by Eden Wurmfeld, Margaret Munzer Loeb.
Who stars in Chasing Childhood?
Chasing Childhood stars Peter Gray, Lenore Skenazy.
How long is Chasing Childhood?
Chasing Childhood has a runtime of 1h 18m (78 minutes).
What genre is Chasing Childhood?
Chasing Childhood is a Documentary film.
Where was Chasing Childhood produced?
Chasing Childhood was produced in United States of America.