Christal Wood for Seattle Mayor

There lies an immense amount of hope and energy in our City's youth. Yet, this generation of youth faces one of the most complex societies in history; and there are a host of issues as to how this population is treated in the context of law, and by the community at large.

More and more often, children are being tried as adults within the legal system; yet they lack the legal right to affect the law that governs them. Statutes implemented in the interest of protecting our young, serve as rationale for a growing juvenile detention population. Between the ages of 16 and 18 especially, there is need for the definition of legal rights and responsibility, for youth and their parents alike.

I would urge re-examination of our application of laws affecting juveniles, such as the Teen Dance Ordinance, tobacco legislation, and so-called "Becca legislation" (affecting the treatment of runaway youth). I would also call for a fresh assessment of the impact of social and law enforcement programs targeted to youth. I would also hope to inspire and support neighborhoods in providing positive rites of passage for youth into adulthood--ways to recognize, include, and celebrate our youth--in order to and perhaps offset influences that may lead to delinquency or violence.

Seattle boasts one of the smallest child populations of Any U.S. city—second only to San Francisco. This results in a culture where children and child welfare slip from the list of public priorities. But children embody the future, and, along with our seniors, are especially vulnerable, and are most in need of the support of the larger community.

Childcare is often a pivotal component of the well-being of a family, especially in single-parent households; yet the resources given to families in need is ridiculously low. I propose re-prioritization of funding, and the establishment of community partnerships in order to make adequate child care available to all within the city limits who are in need of it.