It Takes A Community To Raise A Child

[*crikey*mate*]

I don't actually agree with this in a literal sense, I am well aware that even a child in complete isolation is able to grow into adulthood, but I do believe that a child who is raised with community involvement has access to a whole heap more opportunities and advantages.

What do you think?

[kopenhagen5]

It Takes A Community To Raise A Child

And two people in love.

Agree with you 100%. And can pick up some bad things from a community as well.

[freddie*rooster]

I can't agree with you, I know of children raised in a Community who suffered terrible abuse by the adults in that Community. What about the terrible abuse children raised in some of these so called religious communes suffer?

[cherry*135]

I think it means a child living with their  own family, but others in their community (neighbours, elderly people etc) can help and support the child to grow up to be kind, happy, functional individuals.

Hillary Clinton: 

It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us is a book published in 1996 by First Lady of the United States Hillary Rodham Clinton. In it, Clinton presents her vision for the children of America. She focuses on the impact individuals and groups outside the family have, for better or worse, on a child's well-being, and advocates a society which meets all of a child's needs.

............The book's title is attributed to an African proverb: "It takes a village to raise a child." The saying and its attribution as an "African" proverb were in circulation before it was adopted by Clinton as the source for the title of her book. Indeed, the saying previously provided the source for the title of a children's book entitled It Takes a Village by Jane Cowen-Fletcher, published in 1994.

The authenticity of the proverb is debatable as there is no evidence that this precise proverb genuinely originated with any African culture. However, numerous proverbs from different cultures across Africa have been noted that convey similar sentiments in different ways. As one poster on a scholarly list wrote, "While it is interesting to seek provenance in regard to the proverb, 'It takes a village to raise a child,' I think it would be misleading to ascribe its origin to a single source.

wikipedia

[***super_nova***]

I agree 100%; I take it that the whole community influences how kids grow up, directly or indirectly.  Parents are not there 24/7 through the child's life; actually children spend more of their lives in classroom, or with other kids than with their parents. 

When i was a kid we lived in a street where everybody knew each other, and we knew that if we misbehaved out parents will find out about it.  On the other hand, if our parents were not around and we would need help every house in our street was a "safe house".  There were some very old people in our street and people took care that they are OK; every now and then our mother would send us to see if one of them needs some shopping done, or help with something, and we would go and get their milk etc.

Now, the community just mostly ignores kids.  Few years ago I spotted a little boy, who lived few houses down, sitting on my nature strip and sobbing his heart out.  I ran out to ask what is the matter, and as I approached him he looked up all frightened and said "I am not doing anything!  I swear I am not doing anything!".  What sort of community we live in if 7 years old kid thinks the only reason adult approaches him is to tell him off?

[lyndal1838]

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@***super_nova*** wrote:

Now, the community just mostly ignores kids. 

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And they ignore the old people too....seems to be par for the course these days....ignore those that may need help as it may take up some of your valuable time.

[**meep**]

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@freddie*rooster wrote:

I can't agree with you, I know of children raised in a Community who suffered terrible abuse by the adults in that Community. What about the terrible abuse children raised in some of these so called religious communes suffer?

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I think what the OP meant was that it takes more than an individual to teach children about life; different experiences.  Not growing up in a cult.

[*crikey*mate*]

I was definitely not thinking about a cult. Just the normal neighbourhood community etc

[freshwater-2]

I think the correct term  "It Takes A Village to Raise a Child" has a very different interpretation  to 'a community' which could be secular.

[joz*garage]

yep, gotta agree with you there mymumy

one cant totally rely on their parents to teach them stuff about life (not all parents are equipped enough to teach their child what they need to know)

If i didnt learn any education from school or do rehab   i dunno where i'd be