Analysis Of Asma's Reclaiming The Power Of Play

In Asma’s “Reclaiming the Power of Play”, he postulates that play is beneficial and paramount to mankind, just the practice of play brings about fundamental benefits to one’s body and mind. However, differing views from opponents of Asma made his claim controversial. Critics of Asma’s claim believe that play is a distraction for mankind and thus, devalues play. Indeed, play distract us but it’s the individual which allows that to happen. Therefore, I believe that play is actually more boon than bane to Man.

Asma posit that play is the “highest form of human activity” (Asma, 2015) supporting his claim with Nietzche’s “Thus Spoke Zarathustra”. Nietzche deemed play as crucial for mankind as it takes on a prominent structure of human activity.
It seeks to help animals become understand their body structure, learn to be domineering and compliant, form alliance friendship (connection) and experience something enjoyable. Panksepp is known for experimenting how rats play and how they laugh. He supports play as an inherent brain function which is prompted and expected by spikes in dopamine and play itself seem to let out pleasing opioids and oxytoin. Proponents, like Elkind, established that play provides a route for the societal interconnectedness. Play does not only apply to mammals but instead, it applies to all human beings regardless of which phase of life they are
Farb claims that the likelihood of play for early humans (toddlers) had increased significantly when childhood becomes safer (out of danger). It helps our brain to to be filled with “learning, creating and playing” (Asma, 2015) which is generated from more leisure that is brought by safer and firm family structure. Asma argues that play is fundamental for children as it is indeed the key to constructing skills that are essential for them in their life. Elkind gives an example of children learning how to blabber which is a “self-initated” (Elkind, 2008) form of play which newborn attempt to create the sound that they acquire from their parents. This will the fundamental step in which it will ultimately lead to them being able to communicate and foster ties with their society. Elkind also highlights that play is not only vital in social bonding, it also contributes to the children’s learning and development. However, Nauert quotes from a developmental psychologist, Peter Gray, that the important skill for social interaction is acquiring skills on how to satisfy someone while still achieving one’s wants and