Collective Consensus and Public Investment

"Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."

Nelson Mandela

former president of South Africa 

Growing up in a large city, I never really felt scared except for on specific occasions when something criminal triggered my sense of safety.  I walked eight blocks to and from elementary school, I road the city bus, I took the subway downtown, and rode my bike to various parks and even to the lake miles away from home.  While growing up, the theory seemed to be if a child stayed out of the 'bad' neighborhoods, and chose friends carefully, there would be no reason for harm.  Now remember my father was a city detective so I was well aware of the hideous crimes occurring in the city.  Crimes being committed within the homes were never mentioned like domestic violence or child abuse of any kind.

I have always worked with children.  I started out babysitting while still in grade school.  I worked with pre-school and Head Start Programs, Child Care Agencies, and brought four of my own into this world.  The backdrop of a child growing up had changed tremendously.  There were issues of alcohol, drugs, violence and the fracturing of family structures. Even in small communities, fear became much more prevalent. 

The awareness of other countries and instant reporting of nation wide crisis floods our televisions, radios, and newspapers.  The computer allows access to an entire world never before at our finger tips.  It is good that the world grows smaller through education, but the downside is violence is embedded  as well, to say nothing of the easy access to young and old alike.

Just the other day, a mother was pushing a grocery cart with a young toddler in the seat and an older girl standing right next to the mother.  A man approached the cart while the mother was facing the groceries on the shelf.  He swiftly lifted the little one out of the cart and walked away.  The other child was frozen in place.  So it is no wonder  well meaning people approaching little ones in stores or parks receive a startled look of "stranger danger" as it spreads across the face of the child.

There are wonderful young people out there living responsible lives.  Many of them deserve a lot more credit than what they receive.  It is difficult for some elders to see through the tattoos and purple hair or even the style of clothing, but once you see inside of these young ones, there is so much value.   I feel thankful for the next generation, but I do give thought to how they will overcome the challenges in their lives without losing their affection, loyalty, passion, and compassion. 

I am not a doomsday kind of gal, but I won't bury my head in the sand either.  It is vital for us to extend a sense of safety and protection to those around us.  We need to invest our time, our listening skills, and acceptance of diversity for a better tomorrow.