This article attempts to present an overview of the situational analysis of play in the urban setting in a developing country (India), substantiated by the results of empirical investigations conducted in Baroda and the metropolitan city of Bombay. The observations highlight the universal features of play and also their cultural specificity conditioned by ecological factors, social class and gender. The ecological constraints of crowding, the high-rise buildings, unsafe streets, scarce open spaces, the preoccupation with the `idiot-box', all seem to conspire against the urban child's natural propensity to play with joyous spontaneity. On the flip side of the coin, of course, are the conscious endeavours by the urban community to recognize children's need for play and to create play environments in the form of parks, children's museums, play centres and the commercial `fun-worlds'. In such a context, what is most impressive and heartening is children's remarkable ability to create their own play space, be it in crowded hovels, community lanes and alleys, construction sites or even the traffic-infested streets, improvising play materials with whatever is accessible in their environments, be it sticks and stones, or tins and trash.
This article presents the findings of a study of 46 adults adopted at very young ages in India and now aged between 20 and 30 years. The results suggest that the majority of respondents were physically healthy and well adjusted. However, 40% scored below the norm for social functioning, suggesting some underlying issues associated with poor well-being in their current phase of life. The mental health issues affecting the young people were associated more with anxiety and stress than depression. However, none of the variables investigated proved to be strong predictors of mental health difficulties. The results are discussed in the context of Indian culture and psychosocial development during early adulthood and include implications for practice.
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