In 1986, kids moved by default. In 2026, kids have to be given permission, space, and structure just to move. Back then: Walked or biked everywhere Recess was long and unsupervised Neighborhoods were the playground Boredom = movement Now: Car rides door-to-door Shortened or lost recess Screens replace exploration Movement is “extra,” not assumed The scary part isn’t that kids don’t want to move — it’s that the environment quietly removed the need to. Which means: Athletic development today isn’t about creating better athletes. It’s about restoring what used to happen naturally. Or said another way: Kids haven’t changed. The world around them has — and movement paid the price.