As mothers, we are adept at mending the little things in life. We apply Band-Aids to scraped knees, reassemble broken toys, and patch up treasured stuffed animals. When our children seek assistance, whether it’s with math homework or fears of imaginary monsters lurking under their beds, we work to find solutions.
But we also address significant issues.
When alarming numbers of children were dying in car crashes, we took action. Between 1977 and 1985, every state enacted laws aimed at protecting infants and young passengers by mandating the use of child restraint devices. Our efforts didn’t stop there; we pushed for more comprehensive measures, advocating for age-appropriate restraints, including booster seats. Our dedication led to a remarkable 43% reduction in child fatalities from car accidents between 2002 and 2011.
In the early 1990s, when over 4,000 infants succumbed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) annually, we mobilized to confront this crisis. We initiated the Back to Sleep campaign, resulting in a more than 50% decrease in SIDS deaths within five years. Our commitment didn’t end there; we continued to refine safe sleep guidelines, remaining vigilant in our efforts even decades later.
After the tragic loss of her daughter Carrie Lightner to a drunk driver, one mother took a stand and founded Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) at her kitchen table. This grassroots movement not only changed state and federal laws but also led to a 55% reduction in drunk driving fatalities since its inception in 1980.
When we witnessed too many children dying in unsafe cribs, we acted decisively. By 2011, federal regulations banned the production and sale of drop-sided cribs. Similarly, as we recognized the alarming rates of drowning among young children, we advocated for safety measures, leading to regulations that require barriers around residential swimming pools in certain states.
As mothers, when we identify threats to our children, we actively seek solutions. This is our duty, as caregivers and as citizens. We cannot accept the fact that, in 2018, nearly 1,300 children are killed and over 5,000 injured each year due to gun violence. Regardless of political beliefs, we can agree that these statistics are unacceptable. We owe it to our children to do better.
In the face of preventable deaths—be it from SIDS, drunk driving, or accidents—we don’t merely express our sorrow and move on. We dig deep to uncover root causes, analyzing every angle of the issue. We immerse ourselves in research, policy advocacy, and education, urging our leaders to heed our voices. The stakes are simply too high.
We must apply this same resolve to the gun violence epidemic. It’s essential that we put aside our political differences and unite as mothers first. Our affiliations and opinions on political matters are secondary to the urgent need to protect our children from this pervasive threat. They face violence in their neighborhoods, from gang-related incidents to tragic accidents in their homes. They are also victims of mass shootings, as seen in Parkland, Sutherland Springs, and Sandy Hook. These are not just statistics; they represent the lives and futures of our children.
We’ve demonstrated our capacity to change anything to enhance our children’s safety, whether it’s car seats, cribs, or safe sleeping practices. We constantly assess our surroundings for potential dangers, and when we find something that can be improved, we act without hesitation. Yet, when confronted with gun violence, we have faltered. We’ve allowed this crisis to persist, falling into the trap of viewing it solely as a political issue, despite its direct impact on our children’s lives.
Addressing gun violence in America should transcend party lines; it’s a challenge that requires a collaborative response from all of us. It calls for sensible gun legislation and innovative solutions that protect our children.
As their guardians, we bear the responsibility to ensure their safety, regardless of the difficulties we may face or the changes we must advocate for. One mother can inspire change, but a collective of mothers can reshape a nation.
So let’s come together and embrace the challenge.
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