Americans took to Twitter to discuss a peculiar Dutch practice: dropping.
Much like their fascination with other European concepts, including Dutch niksen and the so-called ‘Dutch-reach,’ they’re all weighing in on their opinion — for the good of their children.
Twitter exploded a few years ago after the New York Times published an article detailing the “peculiarly Dutch summer rite” of dropping.
What is Dropping?
Dropping is a favoured exercise among scout groups, although it can extend to any age. It can be done privately, as part of a school group, or even in a sports team.
The practice involves taking children, typically pre-teens, and leaving them in a forested area to make their way back to either their home or campsite. 🏕
The children are typically armed with a compass and an emergency mobile phone — only to be used in emergencies. 🆘
Then, using their instincts, brains, and a good old dose of teamwork, they (hopefully) make it out.
The advantage? Children are taught to think for themselves, work as a team while still being independent, and the parents get a night off. 😴
The Dutch approach to raising children often makes its way into international media. It’s no surprise after the country consistently appears at the top of the list for happiest children in the world.
What did Twitter have to say?
If there’s one thing we can count on in this world, it’s that if it’s something about raising children, Twitter will be tweeting. Some from outside of Europe were in support of the Dutch ways:
In America, we drop kids off at school and then pray they don’t get killed in yet another mass shooting.
— Lawprofblawg (@lawprofblawg) July 21, 2019
It’s safe to say the U.S. does childhood differently.
Yep. Looks like they build character and not video game couch potatoes.
— Tn (@ttkabjlwde) July 22, 2019
In America, it’s called “dropping” Groups of children are left in cages told to find their way back to their parents…
— GreatScott! (@RainingthoughtZ) July 21, 2019
On the other hand, some Tweeters were able to relate:
I once got dropped in a forest & had to find my own way back, I got raised by squirrels & had the best time. But nuts aren’t that great for my insides so eventually I had to leave. It broke my heart.
— lou. (@cityflxwer) July 22, 2019
This is accurate. We did this frequently in my youth. And during my time in University. Not necessarily the forest though. Could be country roads or just any place where you have to figure out where you are.
— Bas Schouten (@Schouten_B) July 21, 2019
For some, it takes a lot more to impress them:
… have y'all never been on a Snipe Hunt or something?
— Leland R. Grigoli, PhD (@mapper_mundi) July 22, 2019
Sounds like summer camp to me.
— PoliticPony 🇺🇦🌻 (@noneovurbeeswax) July 21, 2019
And then the Dutchies started chiming in with some history.
Yes it is! It is based on the Dutch fairy tail (sprookje) Hansel and Gretel (Hans en Grietje). The Dutch are very poor people and so some have to drop their kids in the woods. Those kids who dare to come back are beaten up by black face (zwarte piet) with his roe. We're very bad! pic.twitter.com/FubIrBZ9MW
— Jurgen 🚀 (@JurgenGee) July 22, 2019
Disclaimer: we asked the Dutchies in our office, and they didn’t know about this origin story, so take it with a grain of salt (or breadcrumbs).
And some Dutchies joined in to reminisce on the good old days of being dropped in a forest:
It’s an awesome (and supervised; they’re never out of sight) adventure that I have very fond memories of. It’s fun and exciting while you learn to work together as a team, read maps, use a compass and solve problems along the way. At the end you feel really badass.
— Kay (@kayotickitchen) July 22, 2019
What do you think of Dutch ‘droppings?’ A character-building adventure or child negligence? Tell us in the comments below!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in July 2019, but was fully updated in June 2023 for your reading pleasure.
Between the lament over “latchkey kids” in the 1980s and today’s “helicopter parents” hovering around their kids constantly, as an American I think there’s something good about “dropping,” at least how it’s described here. And I can relate to it. I grew up across a river from a big forest with dirt roads, so I could effectively “drop” myself with my bike and make a nice summer day out of it.
Cool idea. The children are safely observed while left alone in the woods to build skills they might not have the opportunity to build anywhere else. What they learn in this exercise can’t be taught elsewhere.
Jurgen is joking, throwing all Dutch clichés together
Im from te Netherlands and dropping is not allowed in schools anymore. For years now…lol
I do remember droppings and I loved it, it happened a lot at birthday parties too (now I think about it, it is a very easy way to have the teens gone for hours or even the whole night) it was back in the late eighties so no cellphones as a back up, I remember one night we had walked for hours and arrived at the village and the baker had just started baking and gave us a freshly baked bun, the best bread I ever tasted. I also remember we were mostly put too many kids in the back of a car and had to close our eyes or put something on our eyes so we would not know where we were going. As a mother know it sounds ridiculous, almost like a kidnapping, but they were the best adventures.
And I though droppings were something you avoided in the barnyard. At any rate my parents who grew up in Zeeland in the early 1900s never mentioned any such practice happening there at that time.
Latest? lol, this is such an old (and fun) thing! Makes we wanna grab my compass and have someone drop me somewhere all over again 😀
ThNk you for sharing this story ! Sounds like my mom lol I like the idea of kids knowing that they’re safe and can contact someone and having that support ,yet being independent for that timeframe . Good Job
They certainly used to be fun. Few things to keep in mind: Dutch kids are more independent than American kids from a young age. Most walk or cycle to school themselves, go to sports and friends without the taxi of mum and dad. Also, Dutch woods are not like the outback or American forests. They’re tiny in comparison, and don’t have wolves, bears or dingo’s.