In a message dated 5/13/02 11:26:50 AM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< >There are other environmental issues that might also be taken into account: air and water pollution, pesticides and herbicides and what was in the bodies of parents at the time of conception, the PCBs and other poisons documented in mother's milk, lead poisoning in the home, heavy metals in the stack bloom downwind of the garbage burner. Rise in the incidence of asthma leads me to think that there is much more to be considered because this kind of behavior by children so very young doesn't make sense. > WizardMarks, Central >> Keith Says;The most important environmental issues facing Mpls. public school children is there home and neighborhood environment. Renters, living in overcrowded conditions allowed by a parent(s) who takes in unauthorized friends or relatives, will deny a child a normal modicum of privacy, quiet, sleeping space, nourishment, social structure, and sanitary conditions. Whole families are too often doubled up with other whole families, in extremely close quarters which also violate Mpls. housing occupancy laws. With good reason landlords should evict these people, but of course this disrupts further any lingering continuity in a child's life at home and in school. Further environmental degradation occurs when the child's parent(s) and guests are abusing alcohol and drugs. There goes the money, and with it any modeling of proper and healthy homelife paradigms for a troubled child. When the child wanders outside, and I often see four and five year olds wandering the streets alone or with other youngsters (no adults), they mostly see pimps and players in flashy older cars acting out, nickel-dime drug sellers on the corner yelling and flagging customers, and other bad behaviors like public drunkenness etc. The cumulative effect of overcrowding, with filthy rags to sleep on, haphazard nourishment, parental illiteracy and addiction, and itineracy (frequent moving ahead of the sheriff) will have a huge outcome when little Jennie and Joey happen to show up at school. I believe these issues are most manifest below the poverty line. Yes, the social worker from the school should make house calls. The health inspector, child protection worker, and the beat cop should tag along too. Bring animal control along for the unlicensed pitbull tethered in the basement, too. Adults are taking time off from NOT working to abuse drugs and make more babies. It is no surprise that these children are neglected and abused at home. It is sad that people destroy their lives so; how shall we hold them responsible for good conduct and normal behavior by their children? Is it reasonable to have high expectations for the teachers and public schools that receive these children whose psyches have been torque'd at home in the hood? I see it over and over again. Keith Reitman NearNorth _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
