Children Quote by Jane Jacobs
““As children get older, this incidental outdoor activity--say, while waiting to be called to eat--becomes less bumptious, physically and entails more loitering with others, sizing people up, flirting, talking, pushing, shoving and horseplay. Adolescents are always being criticized for this kind of loitering, but they can hardly grow up without it. The trouble comes when it is done not within society, but as a form of outlaw life. The requisite for any of these varieties of incidental play is not pretentious equipment of any sort, but rather space at an immediately convenient and interesting place. The play gets crowded out if sidewalks are too narrow relative to the total demands put on them. It is especially crowded out if the sidewalks also lack minor irregularities in building line. An immense amount of both loitering and play goes on in shallow sidewalk niches out of the line of moving pedestrian feet.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs, 1961
Spontaneous street play is essential for social learning; its loss harms community development and safety.
In simple terms: Play in public spaces builds social skills.
Key Takeaway
Preserve informal gathering spots.
Themes
community
play
urban design
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
sociological
urban
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- education
- neighborhood safety
Key Concepts
sociology
public space
Questions to Reflect On
- How can cities design for spontaneous play?
- What benefits arise from casual social encounters?
A Different Perspective
Modern cities often prioritize efficiency over informal interaction.
