ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

I applaud today's article on the "Politics of Child Care". I agree that there are diverse opinions regarding who is responsible for the care of children in our great country. In my opinion, Being liberal or conservative does not change the quality of care a child receives. Whether we continue to provide the very best care possible in the variety of ways we currently provide it, or, the government establishes a nationwide program, what will make the difference in the care that children receive is the commitment the nation's teacher's have to excellence in their profession, and the belief that their professionalism, advocacy, education and training make a difference in the lives of young children. The delivery system is worth nothing without teachers who strive for quality every day. Raising early childhood teacher's salaries to that of elementary teachers won't be an indicator of or guarantee quality either. Building an educated, professional workforce, however, may just lead to better salaries for those of us who work with young children!

It's good

You have "hit the issue on the head" with your statement: "This great diversity makes for the richness of our profession, but it also explains why our field has been so unsuccessful in uniting behind any specific funding and regulatory initiatives."

In the 33 years that I tirelessly advocated for families and childcare in Canada our richness is what divides us. Instead of, 'as educators and teachers acting as role models to demonstrate tolerance, consensus building, collaboration and team work' what we have given to the children is 'intolerance, attacks and divisiveness - anything but team work'.

We teach and expect children to 'act an acceptable way' yet we fail them miserably as role models, and I would say to the delight of politicians who don't have to respond to our needs because we are too busy fighting among ourselves while they are listening to cohesive industries vying for the funding.

As a woman I have always found it incomprehensible that in a female dominated profession we attack each other as to who is better instead of looking at the merits and contributions of all sectors and bring about programs that meet the needs of all families in all situations whether they are families who need and want childcare or whether they are a family who desires to stay at home with their young children.

Kudos to the ever thought provoking team at Exchange and WoFo who inspire us and encourage us to be our very best no matter where we are or who we are!

From my experience there are only a very few people whether religious, political or cultural who recognize their own biases. Most are either blind or ignorant of them. Some who are aware of their own biases are afraid to admit them. If there is one person who thinks your perspective is flawed or mistaken, and you don't understand why they think that, then you are biased. Bias is a mental preference that results in our preferring something over another, sometimes with justification (at least to one's self) and sometimes without.

Human beings cannot help but presenting their own perspective and position in a way that best illustrates it. Normally that means putting opposing positions and perspectives in the worst possible light. In addition biases are often revealed in what is not said! For example, the editors of news organizations can reveal their bias by what they do not report. That choice is based on what they feel is newsworthy and their choices are based in their biases.

There is no real solution to this other than the acknowledgement of our bias. For example, the conservative should go ahead and admit they are conservative, the moderate admit that they are moderates, and liberals admit that they are liberals.

There are really few dead center moderates. It is easy to determine. You are a moderate if you find yourself disagree with the liberal and conservative positions 50% of the time or if you can honesty see each positions point and cannot decide which you want to align with.

We are all biased and that's ok. We still can get along together if we are willing to talk and be respectful (an not villainize, whether its Bush or Obama).