Maria Byrne
A Parent’s Perspective
I have a great interest in politics, political programmes and all the discussion and debate that surrounds it. Much to my children’s dismay, I’m monopolising the television in the run up to the general election and the minute yet another debate begins, they beat a hasty retreat.
My 15-year-old, who often joins me to watch a film or documentary, is counting the days until we have a new government and even my five-year-old races to inform me that I’m missing the Six One News. To children, who are used to a lot of instant entertainment and fast action via social media and the internet, long discussions on the economy, taxation and the fiscal space aren’t exactly likely to capture their interest.
However, I do think it’s important to give children some idea of just how important elections are, what it means to be in a position to cast a vote and how important it is to be socially aware and to take an active role in deciding the future of the country.
Keeping Your Kids Catholic – It May Seem Impossible But It Can Be Done is a great book with contributions from parents, religious educators, family counsellors and youth workers.
The title of one chapter by James D. Manney is ‘Raising Kids with Concern for Social Justice’. While children can easily write off elections and politics as boring or irrelevant, electing a new government is an ideal time to give them a few pointers on social justice. We’re all called upon to be more than bystanders.
Society
Christians are in a unique position to influence society and to encourage and support those who prioritise the needs of the poor, the homeless and the vulnerable. My nine-year-old nephew’s school had a recent visit from all of the candidates who were putting themselves forward for election in his local area.
The children had an opportunity to ask questions and express their concerns. I thought it was great that, even at a young age, a sense of political awareness was being fostered and encouraged. I was wondering what questions my own children might ask if they were given the chance.
Would they think of local problems and issues that would affect them directly like youth facilities, playgrounds or skate parks or would they have a wider focus and think of problems and challenges that might not affect them directly?
James D. Manney had some good tips on encouraging children to reach out to others, demonstrating love and mercy. He and his wife Sue didn’t spend too much time talking about the principles of social justice with their children. Small children in particular learn from what they see around them so they decided to lead by example.
With older children or teenagers, Manney suggested an exploration of exactly what concern for social justice means. Is it centred on the rights or wrongs of weapons systems, civil rights or housing problems? Is it about donating to charitable causes or voting for politicians who share our concern for those who are struggling?
His answer is that it’s about all these things, but that what parents should really do is to change the question. Instead of asking what social justice is, they should ask who it is that we are talking about. Who are the people in need? In society today I can immediately think of several groups which include homeless people, immigrants, the poor, people with mental health issues and lone parents to mention a few.
With increasing demands to repeal the Eighth Amendment which offers protection to unborn babies, this highlights another at risk group.
There’s a danger that showing concern for our neighbour can immediately box us into a particularly category.
I always wonder why those who are against abortion are viewed as conservative while being against capital punishment is seen as liberal.
Activism
James D. Manney suggests moving away from the inclination to connect the term ‘social justice’ to politics with activism in particular areas being linked to labels like right-wing or left-wing. While politics can address problems like the homeless crisis or fair wages, a lot of problems can only be solved by the efforts of local communities or individuals who are determined to make a difference.
From a practical viewpoint, there are some things parents can do to introduce children to social awareness. Making things personal means a child might help a friend who’s struggling with maths or assist an elderly person with his garden.
A young adult who can’t volunteer in a developing country might get involved in a soup run for the homeless. Whatever it is, the focus should serve the needs of the person who is on the receiving end, not the giver. A generous gesture might create a feeling of satisfaction, but a regular service for someone in need is of more lasting value.
Political arguments about poverty conducted in a television studio aren’t as immediate to children as a real-life experience working with the poor or sick.
Whatever the results of an election, raising children who will turn into the concerned citizens and politicians of the future has more to do with finding the time within a family to demonstrate some Christian care than tuning in to the latest Prime Time programme.
As in political life, actions speak to people a lot more than empty words and promises that may never be fulfilled.
