Just a few quick ramblings about children in America. Yesterday I heard that McCain vowed to protect the rights of the unborn. While I applaud him for this, I want to hear him and all of the other candidates state that they will protect the rights of babies and children, born and unborn, rich and poor. So many of the pro-life lawmakers do all they can to stem the tide of abortion but then do little to improve the lives of these precious little ones once they are born…often into the homes of abject poverty or to parents who simply cannot feed or clothe them adequately. And let’s don’t forget the single mothers whose ranks are swelling by the hour. Who is helping with these children?
It’s a complicated issue, for sure. And yet I KNOW that children raised in poverty have a tough go of it (understatement). The United States has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the industrialized world, and often socio-economic factors are at play. Food, clothing, shelter, health care, medicine, and education are some of the areas affected by SES, and often our legislators know little about how so many of America’s poor children actually have to live. One in six lives at or below the poverty line. Without nutrition, bodies and brains can’t develop normally. Without health care, health issues are exacerbated. Inadequate housing and overcrowding contribute to childhood accidents.
There are no easy answers. I’m just saying that we all need to vow to protect the rights of the already born as well as those of the unborn. And we need to encourage our leaders to do the same thing.
mom's musings 
“So many of the pro-life lawmakers do all they can to stem the tide of abortion but then do little to improve the lives of these precious little ones once they are born…often into the homes of abject poverty or to parents who simply cannot feed or clothe them adequately.”
Wow, you are speaking right to my heart.
That was one of the reasons I was pro-choice, because I wished that my parent had had abortions for me and my brother. It was only a fluke that I was able to surpass what had happened and, because of that, help my brother do the same.
When I was 11 years old, one of the members of my church took me under his wing and became my mentor. Were it not for that relationship and my incredible foster parents (fyi, who were both teachers!), who knows where I’d be?
With all the physical abuse, emotional torture, and attempted murder, I was convinced that dying early would have been a blessing.
I’m older now, and can see how my upbringing has shaped me and created a very strong person (and I am thankful for that), but I see how very easily I could have turned to drugs and a life of crime and darkness.
I have found that people who are pro-life don’t seem to understand what horrors children can face from the people who are supposed love and care for them.
I am thankful that you are one who is aware of the problem of abused and tortured children.
Hmm. That wasn’t supposed to be so heavy!
Hayden comment, take two:
Kudos for your insight!!
I don’t know whether I’ve mentioned this on the blog before, but even if I have, it’s worth repeating. Psychologists speak of a particular type of child who despite poverty, neglect, abuse, and/or other horrors seems to “rise above it” and become an incredible adult. This child is called “the resilient” child, and from what you’ve shared, you fit the bill. Here are a couple of the characteristics (in addition to surviving): a high level of intellectual ability, someone in your corner who genuinely cares for you and is supportive, and good social skills.
Have you ever heard of Pat Conroy? He’s a Southern writer whose books are just about all tinged with some memories from his past. One of the ones in which he’s so upfront and honest about his hateful, cruel, abusive father is My Losing Season. In fact, I remember a reference to the children that his mother lost through miscarriage as “the lucky ones” because they didn’t have to endure such torment. He is/was also a resilient child and a prolific and popular writer (at least in these parts).
I have much to say on the subject and will revisit this post when I have more time. I appreciate your awareness of this issue. I spent four years researching abuse in the family while I was in college, two years as a psychology major and two years as a pre-law major. In my technical writing class I combined all my research into one very long research paper and the professor told me that the paper should become a college manual for social workers and lawyers. I could write a book on it and I just might.
I agree. There are always two sides to an issue. It’s amazing that a wealthy country like the U.S. does not provide sufficient care for its children. Like you, I’m looking for specifics as well.
And to some issues there are even more than two sides. It will be interesting to see how this issue is tackled.