It is ironic that in a country founded on the principles stated in the Declaration of Independence that, in the late 1780s, a group of bewigged men got together to establish the rules of governance for the United States and defied one of the cardinal principles. “That all men are created equal” went by the wayside as the North and South compromised by saying that slaves would be counted as 3/5ths (3 votes to every 5 slaves)—the North was able to persuade the South to continue forming the government and the South acquired more power since the slaves were unable to vote. Slaves were counted as 3/5ths of a person and unable to vote. This is quite a stain on early governance. This abomination lasted until 1868 when the 14th Amendment changed that.
I choose this historical perspective because I think that we treat our children in a similar manner – not as whole people and not represented in the voting process. Most efforts to change this are met with defiance, especially by the current administration.
But before I dive into that, I want to weigh in on the current meritocracy nonsense that is being perpetrated on the American people. Our current president has stated that all jobs going forward will be based on merit. Since merit is totally in the eyes of those with power, this concept is total poppycock. Merit is not based on political party but apparently the current administration thinks so. So many of the current cabinet nominees are actually meritless for the jobs being considered. It therefore appears that their merit is based on loyalty (not competence) and a willingness to carry forth an agenda (not serve the American people as a whole). To argue that DEI programs bring forward meritless individuals because of their participation in such a program is to argue that loyalty and sycophancy (fawning behavior to powerful or rich people) is more qualifying. Indeed, the contrary is true. Folks given the opportunity to get a leg up and gain wisdom and knowledge through these various DEI programs (to advance their lives and the lives of similarly affected individuals) are much more competent and trustworthy than those who merely advance because of their station in life and how loyal they will be. Knowledge and its accompanying wisdom are not gained by fear-based actions to follow a leader but by education, hard work and experience. That is what DEI is all about.1
Now some observations on the 3/5ths nature of our children –
- We consider our children as less than whole when we let billionaires with no vested interest in the needs of children start to control the purse strings of government. They make selfish decisions for like-minded adults. They do not understand the plight or needs of those children and families with fewer advantages.2
- We consider our children as less than whole when funding for specific programs that assist children are in danger. SNAP and Medicaid funding has been discussed as possibly being reduced for “government efficiency.” Sixty percent (3/5!) of births in South Carolina are covered by Medicaid. So much for a government that values its children.
- We consider our children as less than whole when we start to attack science that has advanced their lives. Millions of lives have been saved by vaccines and public health programs, yet our current administration is taking direct and indirect measures to erode those measures. Any diminution in vaccine rates, attack on their benefits or lessening of protections harm the health of children. Vaccines do not cause autism, but the current leaders refuse to take a strong stand on that position. Children still need protection against COVID but that is dismissed. Withdrawal from the World Health Organization does not help anyone (and eventually harms many), only “helping” those that want to score political points.
- We consider our children as less than whole when we loosen environmental protections of the air and water. We need only remember decisions re: the water in Flint Michigan and lead poisoning and the rising rates of asthma in children near areas of industrial development or urban areas. Not recognizing climate change and withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord are willful acts hurting the future for our children.
- We consider our children as less than whole when we willfully separate families without a humane plan in mind. Back in 2017-2018, our government separated families and placed children in detention. To bring back that program with no serious intent to minimize the trauma for children clearly demonstrates the disregard for children and lack of understanding of how trauma isn’t just something that children bounce back from.
- We consider our children as less than whole when we impede the lines of communication for health professionals and the public health authorities. Transient confusion is as negatively effective as a total blackout. The CDC, NIH, medical researchers, public health officials and public and private health professionals all rely on robust lines of communication – hourly and daily – to promote the health and well-being of children.
- We consider all children as less than whole when we consider withdrawing aid that we previously supplied for other children around the world. “American exceptionalism” becomes American inhumanity.
- We consider our children as less than whole when we ignore the teachings of the Bible to say ill words toward others, to spread ill-founded fears about others and to tell lies to score political points.
- We consider our children as less than whole when we attack initiatives that seek to enhance the diversity, equity and inclusion of folks who have historically been left to the margins of society. These attacks only serve to instill a false sense of superiority in those that attack them and marginalize those who could benefit from the programs. I find it so sad to see those who are cast aside consider suicide at an increased rate. We have effectively told them that they are less than whole.
- We consider our children as less than whole when we start to erode the qualities that define the good in mankind – humility, sincerity, and empathy. When we accept bombast as a new standard of social interaction in lieu of civility, we send the absolutely wrong messages to our impressionable children. They see and hear adults shouting at and past each other and purposely pitting us vs. them. They do not see how trust can be developed, and trust is the social currency of our society.3
Adults often think that the diseases that they incur are adult-onset. In one way, they are right. Many of those diseases (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, vascular disease and more) become obvious in adulthood but their roots are in childhood. So, these diseases are actually adult-manifest and are directly related to the nurturing or lack thereof of our children. The impact of adult-manifest diseases can be lessened. If we actually want to spend less on adults and have healthier adults, we would put more resources into the health and well-being of our children.4
Some detractors will see the above as the idle ramblings of a disgruntled Democrat. I see them as pointed remarks putting children in their rightful place and as a call to give children a five-fifths (5/5) representation in all that matters. Children are not 3/5 a person and deserve so much more than what we are currently providing. It is incumbent on each of as pediatric advocates to speak out loud and clear on their behalf. Compromise, like in the late 1780s, is not acceptable. Our children need to be whole.
- https://mychildrenschildren.com/woke-im-in/
- https://snyder.substack.com/p/the-logic-of-destruction?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email&triedRedirect=true
- https://mychildrenschildren.com/trust-is-the-currency-of-social-interaction-2/
- https://mychildrenschildren.com/the-pediatric-way/