What's best for children?

Group wants No. 1 question in the community to be focused on needs of children

Any community could thrive by repeatedly asking itself, “What's best for children?” Leaders in Rock Hill hope to make that the No. 1 question in this community.

About 50 community and business leaders attended the third No. 1 Question Summit this month. They hope that soon, everyone in the city will be asking themselves that question.

“I think anyone, everyone can incorporate this question into their lives,” said Sylvia Echols, chairperson of ambassadors for No. 1 Question. “(It) means asking, ‘Is this good for the children in their personal life, civic life, faith life and work life?”

Sadly, the answer often is no. Too many children in the community abuse drugs join gangs, drop out of school and engage in other unsafe and unproductive behavior. And too often, that is the result of a failure to put the needs of children first or to consider their needs at all.

The No. 1 Question initative stems from a resolution approved by the City Council in April 2007 to support the awareness campaign, and the council has worked with the Rock Hill Commission for Children and Youth to further the concept. The idea is not so much to establish a specific set of goals as to put child welfare at the forefront of what we do both as individuals and as members of various groups.

It can be something as simple as scheduling family time, giving employees time off to deal with child care issues and getting involved in youth activities. In short, becoming part of this effort means developing a way of thinking that incorporates what's best for children in all aspects of our daily lives.

That's a big order but an achievable one. We hope this organization continues to address this all-important question.