Hoosier Shame

Editor, Times-Union:
“Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.” –John F. Kennedy
“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” – Nelson Mandela
Indiana, in keeping with the agenda of the Trump regime, has proven its disregard for the well-being and best intentions for Hoosier children. Following are some legislative decisions made by Hoosier leaders that should have everyone scratching their heads and realizing, “This is just wrong!”
— In January 2025, Indiana made child labor law changes: 1) 16- and 17-year-olds may now work the same hours and days as an adult. No hours restrictions. No parental permission required to work longer or later hours. 2) As of April 1, 2020, Indiana employers are no longer required to provide a minor with a break or lunch regardless of the number of hours worked in a day.
— More recently it was reported that “Most Indiana kids who need after-school programs can’t access them ... programs ranging from academic tutoring and STEM clubs to sports, arts and mentoring activities that give students a ‘structured’ place to spend time after the school day ends.”
The Indiana Capital Chronicle goes on to say “Five in six Indiana parents who want an after-school program for their child can’t find one … After-school programs keep kids safe, help them learn, and support working families.”
Is Indiana following the goals of the Trump administration which withheld more than $1 billion in federal funding for after-school programs earlier this summer? In another crushing blow to needy families with children, Trump’s obedient pal, Indiana Gov. Braun, decided to freeze all new child care vouchers for low-income families until 2027.
— The most recent books banned in Indiana include Forrest Gump, Brave New World, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and I Am Rosa Parks. Indiana is choosing to hide truth, classic literature, worthwhile entertainment and cultural and historical understanding from young readers.
Cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead said, “Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” Isn’t exposure to good and ugly truths, cultural differences, and the lived experiences of others the best way to help children experience the real world and learn to think for themselves — to search for answers to their deepest questions and concerns? While parents ought to be the strongest influencers of their children, today’s world thrusts those children into an unlimited variety of societal influences. Isn’t it long past time that politicians persuaded by their loudest supporters keep out of the decision-making process when it pertains to the well-being, education, personal development and intellectual growth of children and leave that up to those who really care and know what they are doing?
Should we deduce from the above information that Indiana considers child labor and mind control more important than education and intellectual growth?
—“If we don’t stand up for children, then we don’t stand for much.” – Marian Wright Edelman, Children’s Defense Fund Founder.
Jeanne Tuka Schutz
Winona Lake, via email