When Play Crosses the Line

While play is a large part of life and development, it isn’t all fun and games. It has a dark side that can even outweigh its benefits. There are two major ways in which this occurs. The first is when play is used to avoid work. Play as a form of procrastination can be extremely detrimental, especially when it progresses into long term incompetence. Allowing play to interrupt the flow of work can cause drastic problems in both the long and short run. Second, play is harmful when risk is ignored completely. Failing to notice danger is damaging and sometimes fatal. Likewise, failing to notice others’ feelings or attributing negative feelings to the pretenses of play can be emotionally damaging for all members involved. The excitement and adventure of play can dull people’s instinctual sense of fear and lead them in to perilous or hurtful situations they would usually take lengths to avoid.