Author Topic: Is One Plan Really More "Fair" Than the Other?  (Read 1908 times)

Chez Miriam

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Re: Is One Plan Really More "Fair" Than the Other?
« Reply #15 on: April 23, 2020, 08:36:42 am »
It's so sad, that libraries are engaged in this sort of 'mine,mine,mine' attitude.

I think what's "fair", and what's "right" are two different things...

Is it fair that children from a more disadvantaged neighbourhood grow up in homes that may have no books at all, and no person to read to them as little'uns because PrimaryCarer is working three jobs to put food on the table and sneakers on feet?

Is it fair that children from more affluent communities probably have more books in their homes than they ever will read, and a mass of people reading to them, tutoring them, helping them...?

Talking about "fairness" in those instances is like comparing apples and oranges: both are what they are, and cannot be otherwise.

I'm guessing AffluentLibrary has more books, and a greater choice of books?  Is that fair?  Yes, and no: yes, because more children, no, because fewer resources are directed towards an area where reading might not be seen as much in daily life, or as easy to achieve.

I think what's "right" is that all children are encouraged to read, and if that means a slight skewing of resources away from areas that are wealthy enough to help themselves towards areas that cannot, well so be it.

My analogy would be: targetting children who live in an area where schools don't have endless playing fields - we all want children to run around, get fresh air, take exercise; sometimes that means resources go to hiring a basketball court/paying for swimming pool time for a school that doesn't have it's own courts/pools.  Is it fair?  Possibly not, if you count every cent.  Is it right?  You bet - all kids need mental and physical exercise/stimulation.

I hope someone higher up the food chain manages to clunk a few heads together before next Summer Reading, ZekailleTasker. :'(
"All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well."  - Julian of Norwich
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