The Value of Children

As I read about the treatment of children in residential schools, I wonder how this treatment would have changed if there had been a different conception of childhood. In the present, we value children as full of possibility and recognize that their childhood is a unique time for development and growth. In the time when residential schools began, children were viewed as little adults who had many more responsibilities than we place on children now. Aboriginal children were specifically targeted to be educated because they were viewed as more flexible than adults and more easily indoctrinated and shaped into Christians with European values.

The disciplinary measures that were taken also reflected a very different conception of how to correct children. Physical punishment is now discouraged because we have become aware of the medical and physical side effects that are suffered by those who are physically corrected. Had those who ran residential schools been aware of the long term effects of their actions, would they have changed?

Although it has been argued that the treatment of Aboriginal children did not differ greatly from their European counterparts, it was done with the intent of shaping these children into the image of Europeans. It did also reflect the mentality at the time that stated: "Kill the Indian, save the man."

I wonder how this treatment of Aboriginal children would have changed if children were viewed with our present lens. Now we view children as full of potential and a site of wonder. I am saddened to think of how much more could have been accomplished in Aboriginal communities had they been considered with this attitude at residential schools instead of being undervalued because of their race. What have we missed out on because potential and difference was discouraged? Is there any way to regain that in our world? If we can regain it, will we be able to respect it in the communities that we have been taught to expect so little from?