meet junior, the gas-guzzler

In the 1950's when there were only 150 million Americans, most kids walked or biked to school. After school they played in with their friends in the neighborhood. When dinner was ready, mom stepped outside and yelled for the little ones to wash their hands and come to dinner. Now that there are 300 million of us, kids are driven to school, and to an ever increasing number of "after school activities," birthday parties, and play-dates. Like a highly paid limo service, parents or nannies are waiting at every step to drive junior to his or her many engagements.

Clearly, this is not a good trend. It should surprise nobody that childhood obesity is rampant. But the trend is not just destructive to our kids. It also results in a disproportionate amount of greenhouse gas production. And it isn't limited to the daily driving.

Children are the most important force behind the move to suburbia, a decidedly unhealthy and environmentally destructive choice. Most adults it seems, become fearful of the city when they are about to have children. Neighborhoods that looked inviting and stimulating before, suddenly turn frightening and dark. The daily barrage of "news" only adds oil to the fire. Expectant parents feel a strong urge to go hide in suburbia, lest something happens to their precious newborns.

With the move to suburbia comes a bigger house, more items to put in that house, and a lot more driving. The driving starts right away as mom and dad need to go to work, to pregnancy class, and to regular checkups. It only gets worse from here. Junior needs a nanny who has to drive in and out. A bit later he or she needs to be driven to day care and later to pre-school. Many families now add a third car to drive junior around. They also switch to heavier and bulkier cars that get worse gas mileage. Kids are the main justification for the mini-van revolution. The same applies to the SUV and the newer cross-over car. Nothing like 5,000 pounds of metal to shield the little tyke. And lots of room to drive the soccer team around.

Anxiety is the key driver in child rearing. And it seems the older baby boomers are a lot more anxious than previous generations of - generally younger- parents were. For one, these younger parents did not have the luxury of worrying about everything from good schools to brain-stimulation activities. They often also lacked the resources to over-pamper their offspring. And believe it or not, that was a whole lot better. There was no epidemic of childhood obesity back then. Kids did not get stuffed with food supplements, forced into intellectual and cultural activities at age 2, and driven all over the universe. They had time to be kids. They walked, ran, and played. And that was better for their bodies AND their brains.

Running and walking are no longer acceptable. They are seen as a waste of time. Or worse, dangerous. These could be signs of hyperactivity or ADHD. Sitting still is no good either. Maybe the little one is autistic. There is no more time to wait for normal development to happen. Junior needs to sit upright at 6 months, walk at 11 and talk at 2 years. It is all on the clock. Any delay needs swift medical attention. To be followed by psychotherapy and tutoring if necessary. And don't forget the drugs. Junior is good for the services economy.

According to research, K-12 schools use 7% of all commercial building's energy use. Got to keep those youngsters warm and hooked to the computer all day long. Got to get those brains prepared for the real world. Outside, 82 million moms stand at the ready to drive the kids to a myriad of after-school activities, all of these happening at different locations. Junior needs chess, piano lessons, karate, soccer, ballet, etc. All of it starting as soon as he or she utters a few sounds and is stable enough to stand on two feet. There is no time to lose. If we want to score Harvard or Yale, we better get on the waiting list for that super pre-school that charges $20,000 in tuition and has a five year waiting list. Better get another job too and some more driving and flying around.

Unfortunately, all this activity will do more than its fair share to destroy junior's world. But oh, get in the car ! We are late for chess.