‘They’re All Our Children’: Biden’s Comments to Teachers About Students in the Classroom Spark Intense Debate
With sensitivities surrounding education and the purported indoctrination of children reaching a fever pitch, President Joe Biden made a statement about kids and classrooms Wednesday that quickly garnered rebuke.
“You’ve heard me say it many times about our children, but it’s true: They’re all our children. And the reason you’re the teachers of the year is because you recognize that,” Biden told educators during the 2022 Teacher of the Year Ceremony. “They’re not somebody else’s children. They’re like yours, when they’re in the classroom.”
Some critics saw Biden’s comments as arguing that kids do not belong to their parents when they’re in classrooms.
One headline surrounding his remarks read, “Biden Claims School Children Don’t Belong to Parents ‘When They’re in the Classroom.'” Another added, “Biden Says Students Are ‘All Our Children’ When They’re in the Classroom and People are Horrified.”
People — including some teachers — also reacted to Biden’s comments on social media, sharing their dismay and frustration.
“My children do not belong to the state or the school,” Twitter user @wtony_tony wrote. “My children are mine and [it’s] not up for debate.”
And @WilliamBradyCoS added, “When I have students in my class, I work for BOTH my school AND parents. The students are not ‘mine.’ They are entrusted to me by PARENTS and that’s a serious, sacred responsibility and trust.”
Some defended Biden’s comments and explained he spoke about teachers’ responsibility to care for children in the classroom, and argued there was nothing wrong with his proclamation.
“He’s honoring top teachers — this is a perfectly reasonable thing to say in this context,” @PugsPushups wrote. “It’s sad how many of y’all see this as ‘evil’ due to a made-up moral panic. It’s a completely innocuous statement.”
It should be noted Biden, at another point in the speech, credited his parents and family for his success in politics and life.
“I wonder how I got here. I got here because of my parents and my teachers,” he said. “My teachers.”
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