As a parent to a young child, my concerns are plenty. I fret over whether she is socializing properly, getting enough vegetables, or even if she just ate a Goldfish cracker or a rock from the ground. Yet, with the current administration, I now have even more pressing fears. I must question whether our government is safeguarding my child from fundamental threats like air pollution, tainted water, and dangerous products.
The Trump administration has strayed from its duty to protect children based on sound scientific evidence. From unsafe strollers to hazardous chemicals, I explore various alarming issues in my new report and illustrated storybook, Breathe in the Smog, Drink Up the Lead: A Grim Scary Tale for People Who Care about Kids. (Don’t worry; it’s a children’s book meant to be read for kids, not to them).
Five Ways the Current Administration is Complicating Parenting
Here are five ways the current administration is complicating parenting while endangering our children’s health, with some grim couplets from the storybook highlighted: “Was shopping for family too much a safe bet? Well here’s a new game: it’s called recall roulette!”
1. Children’s Products May Not Be Safe
When I created a registry for my daughter’s nursery, I assumed the items were safe, trusting the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) to catch any defective products. I later discovered that this assumption was misplaced. I used a hand-me-down infant sleeper for my newborn, unaware that due to poor enforcement of safety regulations and industry lobbying, these sleepers were not safe. After some research, I found that recalls of children’s products have plummeted, dropping 60 percent from 2016 to 2018, meaning the government is doing less to ensure my child’s safety during sleep, play, and mealtime.
2. Food Might Not Be Safe to Consume
When grocery shopping, it seems reasonable to expect that our biggest concern should be whether we have everything on our list. Unfortunately, we are now forced to weigh the risks of purchasing meat due to government decisions that compromise hygiene and safety. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reduced inspections at poultry and pork processing facilities, allowing dangerous practices that can escalate the spread of foodborne illnesses, particularly harmful to children with developing immune systems.
3. Water Might Not Be Safe to Drink
Water is essential for life, making the government’s failure to keep it safe particularly troubling. For families with young children, safe water is crucial for breastmilk, formula, and the fruits and veggies that sustain them. This is not a scientific quandary; it’s a political issue regarding acceptable risks. Parents in areas like Flint, MI, and Newark, NJ, know firsthand the dangers of lead in water, which has no safe level. Despite the need for stringent regulations, the Trump administration cut the number of lead service lines required for replacement in half, failing to adequately protect our children from brain-damaging lead.
4. Air Might Be Less Safe to Breathe
We all remember the first breath our children take upon entering the world. Unfortunately, air quality varies dramatically depending on where one lives and the policies in place. Many communities suffer from pollution due to industrial facilities, vehicles, and power plants, putting children at higher risk for asthma, respiratory infections, and even cancer. Rather than enhancing protections, the Trump administration has been working to dismantle the safeguards that keep our air clean. The result? An increase in asthma attacks, respiratory illnesses, and school absences that could have easily been prevented.
5. Our Leaders Have Abandoned Shared Values
My toddler is already beginning to understand the world around her. Since learning I was pregnant, I have worried about how to explain the actions and rhetoric of our leaders, especially under this administration. The presidency should be a figure of respect, yet we have seen a leader who disregards truth and fails to respect diverse communities. How can we instill values of respect, kindness, and compassion in our children when our leader contradicts them at every turn?
As parents, we bear the responsibility of ensuring our children’s safety, which means demanding that our elected officials prioritize children’s health. The more our government listens and acts in our best interests, the less we have to worry. I’m ready to pare down my worry list; how about you? For more insights on this topic, check out this article on home insemination or visit this authority for further information. Additionally, you might find valuable resources on pregnancy at this site.
In summary, the current administration’s policies have raised serious concerns for parents regarding the safety of products, food, water, and air quality. As we navigate these complexities, it is essential to advocate for our children’s health and ensure our leaders uphold the values we cherish.