Millions of children in America and abroad have no voice of their own. All children suffer when adults subscribe to and follow that old medieval cultural practice that says, “Children should be seen and not heard.”
In its simplest form, this practice means children can be present in a conversation but should not speak, particularly when they are around adults.
Unlike many idioms in English, the meaning of this proverb is literal. This proverb stems back to the religious views of medieval culture. The initial meaning of this proverb was that young women should not speak in the presence of adults but later evolved to include all children.
For those adults who believe that “children should be seen and not heard,” I strongly suggest they look back at their own childhood and life to properly gauge how this medieval practice made them feel.
I believe that this outdated practice still has sympathizers today who consistently minimize the adverse impact that it has on children’s physical health, emotional well-being, and academic success in the classroom.
Children’s wellness depends primarily on being raised in a caring and nurtured environment where they are seen, heard, and valued.
What does wellness mean and what role should society play in protecting the well-being of our youngest residents? Wellness is defined by Merriam-Webster as “the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal.”
Consider the BYU Mission Statement definition, “Wellness is ‘the balanced development of the total person…’, and is holistically comprised of six dimensions, spiritual, physical, intellectual, financial, emotional, and social.”
This definition broadens our knowledge of the problem.
It also highlights the importance of the adults in the room who are responsible for safeguarding the wellness of children.
On July 4, America celebrated its 250th birthday as a nation. It did so by reflecting on the opening words of the Constitution of the United States. These historic words in the past evoked the idea of community, common cause, shared identity, and shared purpose.
However, over the past 25 years, an alarming number of Americans in small towns USA (like Galesburg) and bigger cities like Indianapolis and Dallas are somewhat disillusioned with the Constitution and are actively challenging the freedoms and rights that it guarantees.
How many adults have actually given up on the Constitution and democracy itself? Are they aware of the harm that they are inflicting upon their children by their mixed messaging?
Here is what I have seen, experienced, and learned during three-score and ten years of life, 14 U.S. Presidents, hundreds of hours in classrooms, engineering departments, manufacturing factories, religious houses of worship, and public governmental meetings.
The aim of, “We the People” should be to protect the rights and freedoms of all Americans and especially those of children who are most at-risk.
Neither America nor its citizens will be able to survive another 250 years if we retreat from upholding the principles, freedoms, and rights inscribed in the U.S. Constitution which I believe represents the bridge of hope that our nation continues to cross daily toward its pursuit of becoming a more perfect union.
Each of us must focus collective power upon the needs of the youngest members of the American experiment, our children because they are both the witnesses and victims of human suffering.
Now is time for adults to stop delegating their children to social media platforms, iPads, cellphones, and gaming consoles. The nation and its people have come a great distance in 250 years, but we still have work to do.
America’s children are fortunate and blessed today to be able to learn in diverse classroom settings which were made possible through the guarantees of the Constitution of the United States. In addition, our children’s school day begins with the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The intent of the Pledge of Allegiance was and is to inspire national pride, create feelings of shared commitment, responsibility, and to also strengthen the bonds of national unity, but unfortunately the words of the Pledge of Allegiance do not ring true for all who recite it.
Parents are children’s first teachers, but parents are also the first ones to pass on their personal biases and prejudices which impact and influence the wellness of children.
Lastly, let us rethink our advocacy for children, especially those who are experiencing poorer economic outcomes, poor physical health, increased emotional challenges and mounting socialization pressures imposed upon them by society.
The State of Illinois and Galesburg spend a considerable amount of financial resources on education, housing, and healthcare for their most venerable residents, but that investment is being undermined by our failure to affirm human dignity, human worth and to afford common decency to all people.
The choices that we make right now will determine the truthfulness of our generation’s commitment to heed the clarion call of, “We People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union.”
Rev. Andrew Jowers is a minister in Galesburg.
This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Many Paths: Why ‘seen and not heard’ hurts our children today | Opinion
Reporting by Rev. Andrew Jowers, Special to the Galesburg Register-Mail / Galesburg Register-Mail
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Rev. Andrew Jowers, Special to the Galesburg Register-Mail | USA TODAY Network
