Would you say we make good on our commitment to children? There is ample rhetoric about the community value that prioritizes children. The reality, as we see it, is quite different. No amount of words can justify the incredible losses, trauma and shortcomings children face in their needs for safety, housing, education, food and hope.
Systems are failing children at an alarming pace. Whether it is public schools that are sweltering, or child protective services that miscalculate potential harm, or an insufficiently supported foster care system, or law enforcement that has not been protecting their families from abuse, we have work to do.
How is it we allow institutions, appointed leaders and elected leaders to talk about the needs of children — acting as if they understand the challenges — and then permit them to ignore the mandate to meet the needs?
The number of children who go to school hungry, or live at the beach, or flee domestic violence, or are gunned down in public places (schools, malls, etc.) is stunning. There is something horribly wrong that adults are not able or willing to put their personal, political or particular interests aside in the interests of children.
Recently, children and youth put themselves first. The pride and elation I saw demonstrated in rallies here and across the country were palpable. It would be nice if we adults could just get out of the way. Unfortunately, there are many ways children need us to lead the way. Guide planning, protections, possibilities and provisions so they have a future that is not defined by loss, distrust, trauma, terror, heartbreak, hunger and houselessness.
Their future earning potential, health, interpersonal and social capital are dependent on today’s good work, investment and conviction. Children deserve our attention and without it, there is virtually no chance for success, and no reason for hope.
We must recognize that adults play an indispensable role whether they are business or elected leaders, teachers, politicians, doctors, judges, coaches or faith-based leaders.
Do Hawaii’s budget priorities reflect these values? 2017 was a particularly harsh year for children: many were witnesses to abuse, many others were abused, too many were forced to spend time with abusive parents, still others had violent parents not held accountable for their crimes, others were forced to become houseless because of domestic violence, or go hungry because a parent did not pay child support.
What must be done to sharpen our focus to meet the dire needs of children in our community? We know they have the capacity to organize. We saw the beautiful displays of coordination, art, speech and articulation in honor of the 17 lives lost in the school shooting in Parkland, Fla. Perhaps our young people must continue this vigilance to obtain the right to be free, safe, fed and housed.
Nanci Kreidman is chief executive office of the Domestic Violence Action Center in Hawaii.
