The Spartans were on to something with their philosophy of “mens sana in corpore sano” (a sound mind in a healthy body). While there are many ways to interpret this phrase, to me it means a healthy physical and mental balance. The Spartans were actually quite progressive in their culture and government, even granting women more rights than other developed civilizations in the classical world.
Lest I sound like I suffer from a case of laconophilia, let me be clear; I do not believe in emulating the entire Spartan way of life, for they strongly valued physical strength and presence of mind in terms of creating a perfect specimen of man, not in terms of fostering creativity and thoughtfulness. I am, however, intrigued by the basic tenet of “mens sana in corpore sano” and how it relates to the inextricable link between our education and health care systems.
At first glance you might think education and health care are discrete. I argue that they are more intertwined than we realize. In fact, the United States had a cabinet level position of Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, the head of the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) from 1953-1979. The former HEW was responsible for education and public health. Its oversight responsibilities included federal and federal-state programs in public health, education, and social and economic security. Hmmmm ... makes sense to me. A healthy body is able to learn. A healthy mind is able to work, pay taxes, and productively contribute to society in a whole host of ways. I want my sons to grow up in a country that values its citizens inside out. I want them to have access to affordable, quality healthcare and access to rigorous instruction in diverse, nurturing learning environments. The health of our schools and the health of our nation must become priorities on the radar of our leadership.
As both systems operate now, we see a wider gap among socioeconomic classes in our country. It is despicable that only the rich have access to good schools and good care. Only the rich are left with any choices at all. I wish for more for my sons. I wish for them to grow up in a community rich with diversity, complex thinking, and creativity. Critical, life changing illness can hit any of us, rich or otherwise. How we navigate that system depends on our resources, insurance, and the state of health care reform. I don’t want my sons to face the stressful weight of health expenses. Education and health care costs are rising at an astronomical rate, further widening the gap between the so-called haves and have-nots. I know not where my sons will fall, but I do know that I want them to have equal, fair access to a sound mind and sound body.
This post is part of a weekly conversation with our 5 Moms Matter 2012 political bloggers. To see the original question and what the other bloggers have to say, read Which Issue Is Most Important to Moms in the 2012 Election?
Image via Department of Health and Human Services
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Comments 19
My kids go the some of the best private schools and I am far from rich. I just learned to sacrifice, so they can get the best education.
What we need to do, is stop throwing money at it. Buffalo public school kids cost 40k a year to teach them, and those are some of the worst schools in the state. The teachers unions need to be brought down a notch, let the teachers teach in the classroom, let the teacher discipline or give the correct grades withou reprocution(sp?) from the media, parents and so forth. We need to get the parents more involved.
We are by no means rich, but my kids go to great schools and receive a top notch education. A public school I might ad. If I had an issue with the school, I'd do what I had to and make sure they went somewhere else. Like Billsfan said. Sacrifice.
I am so tired of the "It's not fair" mentality. LIFE IS NOT FAIR! Learn it now, teach your kids. It's reality. They will have a much more sound mind and body if they are taught those lessons now, instead of wishing things were different. Sitting around begrudging people who have money and can afford things you deem "the best of" is a disservice to yourself and most of all your children. Teach them they have the power to change their futures, and show them how to work their tails off to achieve what they want, not to sit around hoping someone else will pay for it.
Bills... I think the word you're looking for is "repercussions".
I agree with you on several points; that there is a connection between a healthy mind and a healthy body, it should be a priority for everyone, and it is in a society's best interest to have both in the majority of its citizenry. But there is where we part company, because I believe that you are saying that it should be the government's responsibility to pay for all of that.
You talk of "access" to health care, "access" to the best education possible. What is blocking access to those things? Right now, you could walk into the most prestigious school in the country and have your child attend that school. If s/he passes the entrance exams, etc., you'd have a child at that school. Likely, there are scholarships or other financial aid to assist you with tuition. It is you, who is blocking access to that school. You don't want to spend that much. You don't want to make the trade-off that might be required, whether it be giving up a daily latte or relocating across the country. Fine. But don't make ME pay for it.
...continued...
It is the same with healthcare. Several years ago, my husband was in a near-fatal wreck. We had no insurance, and yet he received the absolute best care available, including two Life-flights (to two different hospitals), intensive care for weeks, and months of phys/occ therapy. Once he was stabilized, the hospital worked with me to deal with payments. And we are not bankrupt.
Those systems you seek ALREADY exist. But so does the freedom to choose whether we wish to use them or not. And that is what I am not willing to give up.
Amen Pony!!!!!
ps. I hope your husband is doing well now and doesn't have any complications! That is SCARY! <3
Thanks, Destiny... he ended up completely blind. But, considering the alternatives were either severe brain damage or death, we're pretty happy with the result!