In Chicago, putting wants before needs

In Chicago, a teachers’ strike is financially punishing students’ families and may even increase hunger in the area.

That’s because those families now have to find child care on short notice, something that’s not easy to do under the best of circumstances, and certainly not for the numerous low-income families in the Chicago district.

For many of the impacted children, school lunches are likely their best nutrition of the day. The district opened some sites for a half-day to feed children, but that created other logistical problems for many families.

Sadly, teachers union officials are likely pleased by the negative impact of a strike on students and their families since it creates pressure on the administration to cave to the union’s demands. As is often the case, the education establishment is putting the wants of adults ahead of the true needs of children.

Thank you for joining our conversation on ScissorTales. We encourage your discussion but ask that you stay within the bounds of our commenting and posting policy.