Children Quote by Jonathan Kozol
““We should invest in kids like these," we're told, "because it will be more expensive not to." Why do our natural compassion and religious inclinations need to find a surrogate in dollar savings to be voiced or acted on? Why not give these kids the best we have because we are a wealthy nation and they are children and deserve to have some fun while they are still less than four feet high?””
About This Quote
Source Book: Savage Inequalities by Jonathan Kozol, 1991
Societal neglect of children’s needs is justified only when framed as a financial loss, not as moral responsibility.
In simple terms: Kids are ignored unless money is mentioned.
Key Takeaway
Invest in children for their sake, not just cost‑avoidance.
Themes
education
inequality
child welfare
public policy
morality
Mood
concerned
hopeful
Type
advocacy
policy
When to use this quote
- school funding
- community programs
- early childhood development
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
social justice
economic incentives
human rights
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we shift discourse from cost to compassion?
- What policies prioritize children’s wellbeing over budget?
A Different Perspective
Financial framing can obscure ethical duty to act.
