Sammendrag
Based on a nationwide Norwegian survey among 3160 parents of children
aged 6–12 years, this article identifies and discusses barriers for
children’s engagement with nearby nature. A set of social factors related
to time pressure are evaluated as more significant barriers than environmental
factors such as accessibility, safety and landscape quality.
Children’s free play in nearby nature does not seem to be an alternative
to a target-orientated and time-scheduled everyday life. Instead, parents
give themselves, other adults and public institutions more responsibility
to stimulate increased nature contact. Despite strong traditions in outdoor
life and good accessibility to nearby nature, social and cultural
trends seem to influence children’s engagement with nature in the
same way in ‘Green Norway’ as it does in many other European countries.
Implications of the findings are discussed in terms of policy and
promotion according to nature management and adults’ roles.
Children’s engagement with
nature; barriers for nature
contact; adult’s role; target
orientation
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