I have been reading through several articles I have saved about parenting and they are depressing. The U.S. is ranked 37th in the well-being of children. Yet we are the richest nation in the world. What are we doing wrong? Europe is the top in the world. I have worked in England and visited France many times and been impressed with the concern parents have about their children. Family is very important to them and Sunday meals are a must in many of the families. That means meals without the TV on and no cell phones at the table. How many American families have these rules?
In the U.S., American infants are 76% more likely to die in their first year than in other advanced countries. Part of this may be that 425,000 kids are uninsured in the U.S. That is criminal. Also 1/2 million kids suffer from lead poisoning and youth suicide in the U.S. is at the highest level on record. 25 % of shooters have mental illness, yet many of these have identifiable signs of problems that are not treated.
Now we are seeing a problem with vaping in teenagers and vaping appears to be targeting kids. Six deaths have occurred and vaping is causing lung damage. Where are these children's parents? Do the parents have any idea what their children are doing? Yes, many of the parents are working two jobs to keep their family afloat and all Trump and his group can think of is getting a second term and taking care of themselves. It is embarrassing to be an American these days. My friends overseas can't understand what is happening to our country. Money and position have become all important and for many kids their goal is to find a way to make a lot of money when they are adults. Instead of finding a job they love and are passionate about, money is the overriding goal. What a tragedy.