Over the past few decades, a well-intentioned crusade for absolute safety has fundamentally transformed childhood. We have systematically removed steep slides, hard surfaces, and unpredictable moving parts from playgrounds, replacing them with low-to-the-ground, heavily padded structures. The goal was to eliminate all physical risk. The unintended consequence is a catastrophic deficit in childhood development.Evolutionary psychology dictates that children require "risky play" to properly develop their vestibular systems, spatial awareness, and emotional regulation. When a child climbs a tall...