Advocacy: Speaking up for what you need, as well as speaking up for people who have less power and privilege than you.

How Advocacy relates to Gender Equity.

Sexism creates imbalances; dictating who has greater access, opportunity, resources, credibility, etc. and who doesn’t. Speaking up when we notice something is unfair or unjust, and taking action, are essential to creating fairer and healthier families, communities, businesses, and nations.

Examples of what Advocacy looks like in an adult.

• Someone who takes responsibility for helping solve problems they* think are important.
• An adult who speaks up for what they want and need, and does so in a respectful way.
• Someone who puts effort and/or money into helping those who have less power and privilege than they do.
• An adult who starts or joins initiatives to improve something unethical or unjust.
• Someone who learns effective communication skills, so they can address problems quickly and support positive actions.
• An adult who runs for elected office to solve problems they care about, or helps someone who is running for elected office.
• Someone who writes letters, emails or other written communication to empower others and point out what needs attention.
• Someone who acknowledges the progress we’ve made and still works diligently on what needs our attention.

Examples of how we can teach Advocacy to our child.

• Role modeling all of the above.
• Giving our child opportunities to advocate for themselves and others.
• Embracing our child’s self-initiated advocacy in its various forms (which may be very different from what we had envisioned).
• Reading books and articles together that spotlight people who are advocating for themselves and/or others.
• Having books, and other materials, around the house that are about advocating.
  Pointing out people who are speaking up and taking action when we see it in the world.

*I am using “they/their/theirs/them/themselves” as singular pronouns.

Back to Guiding Principles for
Developing Whole Children

Self Awareness | Reciprocity | Full Personhood | Equality | Physical Ownership | Verbal Conflict Resolution | Emotional Wellness | Advocacy | Humility | Authenticity | Contribution | Resiliency | Joy | Gratitude | Community | Critical Thinking