Jonathan Bastian engages in a conversation with Adam Benforado, a law professor at the Drexel University Kline School of Law and author of “A Minor Revolution: How Prioritizing Kids Benefits Us All.” In this discussion, Benforado emphasizes that prioritizing children is not just a moral duty but also an economic and social obligation for policymakers and legislators. He encourages adopting a child-first perspective not only in obvious areas like extending health insurance for kids but also in less apparent areas like energy policy or minimum wage, where the impact on children may be hidden.
Benforado notes, “As a society, you always bear the cost of addressing societal problems. The only question is, do you want to invest in preschools and healthcare for infants and children, or do you prefer to allocate resources to prisons and medical interventions down the line?”
Bastian also speaks with John Rogers, a professor at UCLA’s Graduate School of Education and Information Studies and the director of UCLA’s Institute for Democracy, Education, and Access. Rogers, coauthor of “Learning Power: Organizing for Education and Justice,” discusses recent national research revealing a decline in civil public discourse among public school administrators and educators. The research indicates a rise in violence, exclusionary language, and hostile rhetoric, primarily originating from parents. Rogers highlights incidents such as armed individuals at school board meetings and threats made to educators, affecting their willingness to support young people.
Discussing challenges to education, Rogers mentions instances where works by Toni Morrison and movies portraying African American experiences face opposition. Additionally, LGBTQ+ students encounter resistance from local communities questioning their rights to be themselves in public schools.
Later in the conversation, Bastian explores the impact of trauma and stress on school-aged children with Erika Felix, a professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Felix acknowledges the substantial capacity of the mind and body to heal and be resilient, emphasizing the importance of providing space, time, and social connections for recovery. However, she notes a concerning trend of poorer mental health among students, attributing it to heightened stress levels related to mass shootings, especially among the youngest generation. Felix emphasizes that traditional stressors persist across generations, contributing to ongoing mental health challenges.