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Original poster

Middle class kids don't play out as much as working class children

140 replies

Photoinaframe · 18/06/2024 19:09

We have moved to a lovely, quiet estate in a very middle class area. I was very excited for my kids as they have friends in the estate & there is lots of safe, green areas with a large park at the foot of the estate.. However the children don't play out! Our previous working class area was always buzzing with kids playing out.
Aibu to say middle class kids don't play out as much as working class kids?

OP posts:
Gakpo · 18/06/2024 19:24

I think you’re probably right, for the reasons others have pointed out above.

I drive through a council estate area on my way to work and the green spaces are usually thronging with kids when the weather is decent.

Reach my area and there’s very little of that going on.

stayathomer · 18/06/2024 19:23

It's likely middle class children are at X, Y,Z activity or wrap around care, or doing homework or doing things as a family I'd imagine. There will be more money to spend on those types of things.
Homework or doing things as a family isn’t a money thing though!! Not necessarily a money thing. We were middle class and just would have been in doing homework or playing. We had friends in sometimes but my mum couldn’t see the Green from our house so she didn’t let us go. We were allowed at around 12/13 but had too much homework because of secondary by then

TheYearOfSmallThings · 18/06/2024 19:23

YANBU. My parents area is now firmly middle class and although lots of children live near, you hardly see them unless they are coming home from teatime club and piano lessons at dinnertime or getting in the car for swimming or tennis class or rugby or ballet. If they play out it is with a parent and siblings, not with the neighbour children.

Light years from how it was when I was growing up in the same area, or even how it is now in my scruffy area of east London.

NuffSaidSam · 18/06/2024 19:21

TeachesOfPeaches · 18/06/2024 19:13

They attend more paid-for, structured and supervised classes/activities

This.

They have less time to play in general I think, not just 'out'.

Heatherbell1978 · 18/06/2024 19:19

I'm 'guilty' of having kids that rarely play out. I found myself being shocked recently when on a walk and seeing a bunch of kids likely aged between 6 and 9 playing next to the river with no parents in sight. I then realised that was probably me in the 1980s so it's perhaps a bit of a cultural thing these days. I wouldn't let my 7 and 9 yr old do the same thing.

Leidenschaft24 · 18/06/2024 19:18

Grew up in a working class area - I was definitely allowed 'out to play' but it was more supervised that some of my neighbours and I was allowed out without an adult at a later age. My more middle class friends across the road (we lived in quite a mixed area) were allowed much free reign and were often at home/out playing when their parents were otherwise occupied.

TheGrimSqueakersFlea · 18/06/2024 19:18

@Singleandproud working class children also do those things

Original poster
Photoinaframe · 18/06/2024 19:17

I find it odd to be honest as it's such a safe area, I feel so bad for my kids as they were so excited to move here but now they miss their old neighbourhood.
Yes I agree that the children here seem to do a lot of extracurriculars & possibly spend longer in school in clubs. My dc have made the effort but there's never any kids free to play 😭

OP posts:
Creepybookworm · 18/06/2024 19:16

No they don't. Statistically kids from less well off homes are more likely to get run over too. There is a link of course.

MinervaMcGonagallsCat · 18/06/2024 19:15

I live in a very middle class area - about a third go to private schools - and all the kids play out.

BiscuityBoyle · 18/06/2024 19:14

You are correct. It’s a noted phenomenon. It was mentioned on a program about gardens. When people started to have gardens for pleasure it became a class indicator that your garden was just for playing in rather than growing food.

I live on a middle class estate, the houses that are my direct neighbours are council houses. The only kids I see playing in the street are the council house kids. It’s lovely to see. They play out all day long.

(please no one be offended by my comments on council houses and class).

DelurkingAJ · 18/06/2024 19:13

They never have. I’m always perplexed when people say ‘everyone played out in the 80s’ as I most certainly did not. Yes, I rode my bike up and down but DM sat on the doorstep supervising.

TeachesOfPeaches · 18/06/2024 19:13

They attend more paid-for, structured and supervised classes/activities

Singleandproud · 18/06/2024 19:12

It's likely middle class children are at X, Y,Z activity or wrap around care, or doing homework or doing things as a family I'd imagine. There will be more money to spend on those types of things.

Comedycook · 18/06/2024 19:10

You are correct

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