Let’s make sure black children learn to swim. It could save their lives. (Some) Black parents are so afraid of the water that they pass their fears along to their children.
It’s an alarming emotional cycle, and black parents of all socio-economic backgrounds must be more responsible. Sadly, drowning deaths seem to happen more to children from disadvantaged families.
“While the study revealed children from lower-income families were more inclined to agree that 'family budget doesn’t include money for me to take swim lessons,' focus group research found that many parents wouldn’t let kids swim even if lessons were free, a theme that was tested four times in different focus groups,” according to the study.
“Overall, fear trumped financial concerns across all respondent race groups in low-income families.”
Many African-American parents, who are traumatized by the water themselves, are unintentionally jeopardizing the safety of their children. The government, social service agencies and community organizations can only do so much.
At some point, black parents have to accept some of the responsibility, sign their kids up for swimming lessons, and make sure they get to a pool. With all the free resources available today, there’s really no excuse. Just do it.
This summer, let’s hope more public pools across the country are packed with black kids – who are all learning to swim.
