In the U.S. we tend to overlook the lives of children. Moreover, we tend to trivialize how the impact of our decisions or lack there of affects them. Although, children make up 24% of the American population we still have a responsibility to ensure that children are living in a world that makes their needs a priority (Huffington Post). We tend to believe that they are unaware of the society they live in. That their voices don’t matter because they don’t have a say in how this democracy works. However, there are many different ways that children are affected by the injustices in our democracy.
In order to understand the lives of unfortunate children in the U.S. democracy we have to look at the socio-economic status of their parents and what systems have been put in place in order to set them back. In Chuck Collins’ and Felice Yeskel’s Economic Apartheid in America they write an in-depth narrative about the economic inequalities in America.“The polarization of income and wealth distorts our economy and ultimately undermines its health and sustainability. Some economist have have argued that past economic depressions are in part rooted in the concentration of wealth, as working people lack spending power and meet debt obligations.”The chapter goes on to explain that one of the causes of economic inequality is the lack institution that are not teaching the skill sets required to work in this economy, thus producing unskilled workers. The only way to fill this dearth of unskilled workers is to teach essential skills at a young age.This includes formulating budgets that will fully finance these programs. Also providing adults access to institutions that are closely that can teach these skill sets that can lead to a fulfillling career.
In a democracy where “the agenda in the U.S. Congress is almost entirely dictated by who is funding politicians, leaving issues important to working families off the radar screen,” people are aware that if their candidate does not win their voice will not be heard. Or if their candidate does they are seldomly represented. This creates disillusionment with politics amongst constituents, making them less likely to vote. As a result laws aren’t created with their best interest at heart. Thusly, disregarding basic rights for their children: proper school funding, health care, and sustenance. In School On a Hill the educators discuss teaching methods that are dated and how these teaching methods sets schools students back rather than prepare them for the real world. “The economy has always influenced the output of the educational system, and the educational system has always given the economy only what it could consume.” Our society needs to produce less docile minds that are complicit instead we need to cultivate minds that aren’t afraid to effect change. This can not be done if children are unable to receive medical attention or are apart of an under funded school system.
According to NCCP.org “Research is clear that poverty is the single greatest threat to children’s well-being.” $23,550 is the lowest income for a family of four economist have found that families need to make roughly double that amount to afford the cost of living. This is reality for a large portion of our country's population. Which means that laws aren’t being implemented or being adjusted to fix this reality for millions of children. Students at Ben Franklin Elementary School in Uniontown, Pa made a video speaking on a wide variety of issues they wish would be eradicated in a democracy. A few of the children wanted “People to have more money.” Then the kids were asked “How do you define democracy?” To my surprise they were well aware of what a democracy was and what our democracy should look like. “It’s a type of government ruled by our people. Freedom to have rights. A country that has an elected leader that answers to the people.” These kids are mindful of what kind of governmental system we have or at least what our governmental system should be. Kids in Ferguson, Missouri are also conscious of the democracy they live in. During an interview with Vice News one of the children said “If the police give us justice we will be alright if they just if these police don’t stop treating us black people like pieces of crap.” His friend responded “We want freedom.” We must begin to demonstrate an ideal democracy. One that is for the people by people and specific to the needs of children across every socio-economic status. They deserve to eat, have a home, receive a quality education, and much more so that in the future they can do the same for the next generation of kids.