The Defenders Online | A Civil Rights Blog » parenting

New Jersey Passes Historic “Civil Rights” Bill for Adoptees

The Editors — Wed, 11 May 2011 02:19:42 +0000

By Stacey Patton
On Monday, the New Jersey State Assembly approved a measure that will allow adults who were adopted as infants to get a copy of their birth certificate showing the names of their biological parents.

Kinship Caregivers Struggle for Support in an Unsupportive Economy

The Editors — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 02:00:20 +0000

By Tarice L.S. Gray
It’s not a new phenomenon – children being raised primarily by their grandparents or other close relatives. About six million are, according to the Kinship Care Legal Research Center, an initiative of the American Bar Association.

Harris County Texas Sends Strong Message to People Who Hit Kids

The Editors — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 02:16:59 +0000

By Stacey Patton Good news in the battle against corporal punishment in schools! But not everyone, especially some in Houston’s black community, agrees.

Time to Ban Physical Punishment of Students in all Schools

The Editors — Fri, 21 May 2010 20:50:28 +0000

By Stacey Patton The recent beating of a 13 year-old boy, captured on a cell phone by a student at the Jamie’s House Charter School in Houston, is yet another horrifying example of why corporal punishment ought to be permanently banned in all schools nationwide.

Time to Spare the Rod in Black Communities

The Editors — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 20:12:53 +0000

By Stacey Patton April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. During this time of heightened awareness I want to challenge black communities everywhere to change the conversation on how we discipline our children.

Mama, Don’t Be So Mean: A Look at Black Parenting Today

The Editors — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:52:56 +0000

By Eisa Ulen Yesterday, as I walked with my husband and son to the park, I heard a sister from across the busy Brooklyn street. "Come on!" she yelled and flipped her ponytail. "Sh**!" Two things I knew before even looking her way: 1) This sister was a sister. 2) She was cursing her own child. I looked her way, and in one glance confirmed both assumptions were correct.