boys
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In response, I would like to educate Ms. Barlow about Multnomah County
and its progressive approach to meeting community needs. Multnomah
County funds substantially well the Take the Time Initiative which
focuses on building developmental assets in all young people. The Girls
Initiative Network budget is 1/10 of the budget of Take the Time. The
Take the Time initiative funds many projects that provide constructive
activities and positive male role models.
Additionally, MC funds many innovate programs for young fathers
facilitated by exceptional male role models.
Portland Public Schools has contracted with a local colleague, Howard
Highton, to meet with faculty, parents, and boys to learn what boys need
to be more successful in school and healthier in their lives. Portland
Public Schools is now working to develop some recommendations for
educators about what boys need in the classroom.
These are important steps to holistically addressing our social and
educational concerns about boys, for this we are grateful. However,
please do not make it seem as though girls are at an advantage over boys
in our community. Many of our girls are at higher risk for substance
abuse, teen pregnancy, and certainly sexual violence. Girls have been
ignored throughout most of history in our society. Let us not forget
that girls have adapted fairly well to an inherently sexist, socially
Darwinistic culture. This culture has not adapted to girls. In all
fairness, isn't it really their turn?
Annette Klinefelter
<girlsinitiative@qwest.net>
*********************************************************
Message posted on EdEquity Girls Dialogue: The Voice of Girls (extended
until May 2, 2001)
Stephanie.Barlow@phoenix.edc.org, Sabwestvir@aol.com wrote:
Debbie:
The basic answer to your question regarding organizations for boys is that
in the United States they do not exist. The only US group I have come
across
that focuses on boys is the Village Foundation, who work with
African-American boys -- particularly with respect to literacy.
Earlier this month I came across a report breaking down the youth funding
of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay (Boston). Of their youth funding,
only
1% goes to organizations that focus on boys. The remaining 99% goes to
organizations exclusively designed for girls (i.e., the Girls Coalition of
Boston), or that primarily focus on girls (i.e., Boys and Girls Clubs of
Boston).
A similar trend can be seen in funding by local governments. As an example
from the current discussion, Multnomah County provides substantial support
for the Girls Initiative. However, the county does not provide any funding
or support for programs that have demonstrated value for boys. This is one
reason why boys in Multnomah County are more likely to be arrested, have a
higher mortality rate, and have less success in school compared to girls.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Barlow
sabwestvir@aol.com
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