What Is Anna Quindlen's Idea Of Down Time Essay
The Change of Down Time
Anna Quindlen is an author of novels and children’s books and she won a Pulitzer Prize for her column in the New York Times entitled “Public and Private.” She wrote an essay “Doing Nothing is Something.” In her essay, she describes how children are so overscheduled that they do not have time for down time. While I agree with Quindlen that the down time she grew up with no longer happens, it is important to understand that today down time can be achieved in other ways that are up to the individual.
Quindlen’s idea of down time consists of “…, staring into space, bored out of their gourds, exploring the inside of their own heads” (Quindlen 84). While her idea of down time might be good for some kids, it does not mean this version of down time works for every child. For example, a child who has ice skating lessons and piano lessons that are scheduled closely may only have a chance to do a few breathing exercises between lessons, instead of down time. Is the child mentioned above, any less creative than her peer who is taking a nap at home?
Quindlen considers three reasons that have led to children not receiving her definition of downtime. The first reason is …show more content…
Adults have a disadvantage of getting down time because of looming deadlines, taking care of family, and other tasks. With these disadvantages in mind Pickhardt emphasizes “Up time is dictated by others; down time is governed by oneself.”(“‘Down Time’ for Parents and Adolescents.”) Down time should be up to each individual. In families, each member should give their input on how they want to spend down time and the family unit should come to an agreement on how down time should be spent. Society has changed since Quindlen was a child and society will continue to change. As humans, we have to adapt and create certain things through self-discipline and understanding our
Anna Quindlen is an author of novels and children’s books and she won a Pulitzer Prize for her column in the New York Times entitled “Public and Private.” She wrote an essay “Doing Nothing is Something.” In her essay, she describes how children are so overscheduled that they do not have time for down time. While I agree with Quindlen that the down time she grew up with no longer happens, it is important to understand that today down time can be achieved in other ways that are up to the individual.
Quindlen’s idea of down time consists of “…, staring into space, bored out of their gourds, exploring the inside of their own heads” (Quindlen 84). While her idea of down time might be good for some kids, it does not mean this version of down time works for every child. For example, a child who has ice skating lessons and piano lessons that are scheduled closely may only have a chance to do a few breathing exercises between lessons, instead of down time. Is the child mentioned above, any less creative than her peer who is taking a nap at home?
Quindlen considers three reasons that have led to children not receiving her definition of downtime. The first reason is …show more content…
Adults have a disadvantage of getting down time because of looming deadlines, taking care of family, and other tasks. With these disadvantages in mind Pickhardt emphasizes “Up time is dictated by others; down time is governed by oneself.”(“‘Down Time’ for Parents and Adolescents.”) Down time should be up to each individual. In families, each member should give their input on how they want to spend down time and the family unit should come to an agreement on how down time should be spent. Society has changed since Quindlen was a child and society will continue to change. As humans, we have to adapt and create certain things through self-discipline and understanding our