The Jack and Jill of America Way
by Dr. Karen M. Clark

Our youth today are not living up to their potential. It is our responsibility as adults to see to it that they get back on the right track. Wise but simple words from author Anthony Browder, who wrote the dynamic Browder Files. Jack and Jill of America Incorporated is an organization that has taken the responsibility to see that not only children but all children get back on the right track.

Words such as principles, values, standards, morality, integrity, honesty, honor. Golden Rule, mores, conscience and decency are concepts we think of when we think of ethics. When Jack and Jill was founded in 1938 by Marion Stubbs Thomas, building character in our children was an important mission. This was a time when segregation was a way of life for African Americans and teaching Black children to turn the other cheek and to treat everyone, no matter what race,  with respect, was a challenge.

We are now living in a much different world with many great achievements by African Americans and a society that has opened up many doors of opportunity for us. However, the world today also presents a much greater challenge, where unethical behavior is glorified, and where parental involvement with children is at risk.

A new survey conducted by the Nickelodeon channel and TIME polled 991 children, ages 9-14; 400 parents and 103 middle school teachers. The survey reflected a significant separation in many families over parental involvement in their children's education. While 92% of the parents said they are interested in their children's schoolwork, the number drops to 75% when children were asked if this is true of their parents. Similarly, 77% of parents said they help their children with homework to assist them with learning, as opposed to just checking homework to make sure assignments were completed, but only 60% of children agree with that. Teachers, with-out-a-doubt, said that they wanted parental involvement in children’s education, but only 3% of teachers maintain parents really are (TIME, July 3, 2000).

The beauty of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is that our structure centers on parental involvement with our children. While mothers hold the membership and plan the programs for children, in the past several years, fathers have become a more integral part of Jack and Jill with the organization of the Fathers' Auxiliary on the local, regional and national levels. Fathers are a very important component to our program. They are crucial to our goals!

Anthony Browder in his Browder Files says, “A child's behavior reflects his/her upbringing ...self-respect is a trait which must be initiated and be enforced at home.” As mothers in Jack and Jill, we are very cognizant of this philosophy and embrace this concept fully. We also embrace the ancient African proverb, “It take a village to raise a child,” and Jack and Jill is the village that has become an important part in raising children of principles and respectability. How can we continue to build our programs so that ethics are a major and vital emphasis to our overall mission? Here are some tips that we can build from and add onto for success:

• It is never too early to start teaching right from wrong to our preschool-aged children. Schedule story time sessions at a local library that feature stories with a moral ending.
• Plan oratorical contests within each age group with themes that focus on ethical issues.
• During Black History Month observances, have children research the ethical philosophies and activities of our Black leaders and present their findings in an oral presentation.
• Have an expert in conflict resolution present a workshop on ethical strategies in solving problems.
• Celebrate Kwanzaa teaching the seven principles of the Nguzo Saba to our children.
• Have children put on their own puppet show crafting their own puppets and writing their own script with a story that has a moral ending.
• Collect children's books that have moral endings to give to children at a local hospital or day care center.
• Develop rites of passage ceremonies that incorporate ethics, principles, values, morality and honesty.
• Teach parliamentary procedures so that our children learn how to conduct meetings in a smooth, fair and equitable manner.
• Sponsor Youth Speak Outs, inviting community youths to rap on ethics, violence in schools, conflict resolutions and moral character.

These are just a few programming ideas that can be used to foster sound ethical behavior in our children. Use these ideas as a starting point to develop activities that emphasize ethical behavior in a fun, creative and important way.

Another very significant way that we can impact our role in making a difference in promoting ethics for children is by supporting our Jack and Jill of America Foundations, Inc. Jawanza Kunjufu says in his book A Talk with Jawanza Kunjufu, “America needs to fund ...programs that teach culture, self-respect, and long term success. What better legacy to leave to all children that through our own Foundation.”