Medieval Fortress

Recently in the news, you may have seen the mainstream media talking about the new “Australian Dream”.

Apparently the Australian dream of bricks, mortar and a large back yard, all in a quiet street, have become a thing of the past.

Nowadays, my generation dreams of lifts, stairwells and a 2 bedroom apartment on Fitzroy Street. Right? Well I’m not so sure.

For me, the great Australian dream shared by many generations before me, is still a very accurate picture of what the overwhelming majority of young Australians, aspire to today.

As a 20 something Gen Y, the bars, restaurants and cafes are very appealing. Infact, in years gone by, it was common practise to have a meal at home on Friday night with the family, head out for the night, only to then stagger in the door Sunday afternoon.

From the ages of 18 to 25, to own a pad in the city would be every Gen Y’s dreams. But what about the years that follow?

Alcohol & Drug fuelled violence, whores working the night away around the corner, and that deep thumping bass to the early hours of the morning. Yeah, sign a young family up for that!

There is a common misconception that my generation cares only for itself, and where the next party is.  It may then surprise you, to hear that the majority of young people, by the time they hit their mid-20’s, are over the clubs, pubs and one night stands. They are thinking career, house and family.

But the question remains. Where to bring up that young family?

I for one, would much rather be bringing my kids up in a suburban environment. One similar to what I experienced as a child, as compared to being raised in a high rise building.

That’s because kids need to be kids. Kids need to build a billy cart. Break their arm playing footy. Break mum and dads window with the cricket ball. Kids need to have their mates and go off on adventures. Explore the new housing estate, the bushland or even knick knock the grumpy old bloke at the end of the street. Why? Because that’s what kids do.

They don’t sit in cafes sipping a babycino. They don’t sit in front of a 80inch plasma, playing Xbox all day. They don’t even need to go to cooking classes to learn the art of fine dining, only years after learning the art of wiping their own arse.

Kids need to explore, get hurt, make friends, and even loose them. Kids need to argue over whose turn it is to bat. They need to be cheeky, even annoy the neighbour’s cat.

I understand times have changed. I also understand there are some sick and perverted people in the world today. I therefore understand we must be careful with young children. But being careful does not mean locking them up inside all day. Nor does it mean you should try to make them grow up faster than they need.

Kids need to be kids, and kids need a backyard wonderland to call their own. A backyard with a medieval fortress.  A backyard with a set of goal posts, better than those found at the MCG.  A backyard with rides that rival those at Disneyland. Or even just a cubby, two trees and a swing set.