With each new
technological advance the planet seems to become smaller. Through satellite and Internet we have the
ability to connect with people all over the world. This gives us a window into
how people live in every corner of the globe. Chances are children will become
aware of human rights issues without us even introducing the concept of global
citizenship.
We are born empathetic,
biologically wired to care for each other. When children learn about the
difficulties people face in the world their first reaction is often the desire
to help. This should be encouraged. Helping is a way to cope with the fear and
sadness we feel for each other. The desire to shelter our children from the
atrocities of the world is understandable but are we destroying our natural
empathy by ignoring atrocities for the sake of our own comfort?
Humans create societies and governments that manage how
we function and dictate what we deem important. If we are wired for empathy
then why do so many people on earth suffer from oppression, discrimination,
hunger and violence?
This question is
difficult to answer and the reasons are complicated. Historically we have
created a hierarchy based on race, gender, system of belief and economic
status. We decide who is believed more deserving based on these factors. This
creates a power structure that leads to the oppression of one or more groups.
Keeping one group down allows the powerful to thrive. One of the most effective
ways to control people is through access to food. Like all other
animals on earth we need nourishment to survive. Humans are able to control all food production and distribution
on the planet. Another way we control
people is through access to education, without education people cannot rise up
and demand fair treatment. By not educating people the only things they can
discover about the world are the things the powerful teach them.
Most children in Canada
have access to education and food. We also have medical care and freedoms many
on earth do not enjoy. These factors help us to recognize needs and create
solutions to the problems of the less fortunate.
Clearly we see that our
children have both the natural desire and the means to become effective global
citizens. We can prevent them from becoming apathetic adults by fostering empathy through the practice of caring for all their fellow human beings.
Over the next few weeks
we will be exploring ways parents can lead their children into global
citizenship. We have chosen 3 topics we feel are relevant in today’s
world.
Hunger, something
tangible to most age groups.
Access to education for global girls, it is
recognized that many global issues are directly related to an uneducated female
population.
The treatment of LGBT
youth, with a suicide rate 8 times higher than straight teenagers this issue is
one our children have real power to impact change. LGBT youth often confide in
peers first. Compassionate acceptance of each other can only lead to a happier
future for the LGBT community.
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