What do we do for at-risk children? Such an enormously consequential question, EEE! Well, given that school plays such a vital and consequential role, or at least it should, for children, we should do more there, and elsewhere. Still, it's important to recognize that from birth to age 18, children spend less than 10% of their time in school. When I first heard that statistic I had to do the math for myself. Truth be told, we could shave off a percentage point or two as there's sadly a lot of wasted time, but I won't go into that now.
I wholeheartedly agree that we should provide free breakfast and lunch for those who qualify, but here's a fact that the general public doesn't know, an enormous amount of food is tossed out by the kids, every day. Yes, schools have to provide a certain amount of veggies and fruit, but it's criminal how much is wasted, they just don't want to eat the nutritious stuff. Why? Perhaps it's just a continuation of what they eat at home. Still, those young brains are greedy organs that demand nutrients if they are to grow. Malnutrition lowers IQ and one's IQ plays such a powerful role in cognition and opportunities in life. I recall reading that 50 million Americans have an IQ less than 85. In a society that increasingly values brain power, where well paying manual labor jobs have been shipped abroad, we have a hell of a challenge to do right by these folks. So...we must feed the kids, and do a heck of a lot better with what we offer them.
Staying with school, I'm for providing free before and after school care for qualifying families, and perhaps even for everyone.
On the home front, we have to do better with regard to the environmental pollution these kids encounter, often from the beginning. Lead in the environment impacts the brain.
I also think we have to do a better job of educating future parents. But how? I don't know. If couples could just delay getting pregnant until they truly want to. Do we subsidize reversible contraception? Make free contraception available to teenagers and adults? Talk about a new front on the culture war!
These are just a few thoughts I have. The key thing is money, and that means taxes have to be raise, and I'm all in for that!
Peter T.
