Health and dis-ease

Anyone who has worked with urban children – sorry, but the generalization holds true – has certainly seen examples of children not being treated well at home.  It happens in the suburbs, to be sure, but there, families make supreme efforts to cover it up.  I maintain that the most important “parent work” happens from birth to age four or five.  Therefore, by the time the children get to kindergarten in public school, if poor parenting existed, then profuse damage has resulted.

The sin may be one of commission, but more frequently is that of omission.  Neglect.  Failure to act.  Examples include failure to talk to the child, to teach him or her language.  Failure to take the child for routine health and dental exams.  Failure to raise her in a safe environment – free from noxious insects, vermin, filth.  Failure to provide consistency in correction or in personal security.  Failure to provide clean clothing.  Stimulation.  Enough sleep.  Running water, heat, and working plumbing.  Much of these situations exist despite available remedies through public assistance and human service programs.

I am not referring to rural Appalachia in the United States.  No, I am referring to almost every city with a measurable population in poverty and more deviously in the suburbs.  If this is difficult to accept, check the local city codes department for the sorts of violations cited in inhabited urban dwellings.  When it happens in the suburbs, excuses or reasons will be offered.  However, wherever it occurs, the damage to a child’s psyche or physical state is done. 

Trackback URI | Comments RSS