The Village Isn’t Showing Up

The Old Saying

We’ve all heard it: “It takes a village to raise a child.” But in many communities today, the village seems to be absent, distracted, or fractured.

Why It Matters

• Parents are stretched thin, balancing work, care, and survival.
• Teachers are expected to fill social, emotional, and even nutritional gaps that go far beyond academics.
• Communities often look away when families struggle, assuming “the system” will handle it.

Canadian Context

• Declining volunteerism: Fewer adults are involved in schools and youth programs.
• Economic pressures: Families have less time to contribute to community life.
• Isolation: Urbanization and digital life mean neighbours often don’t know each other.
• Equity gaps: Marginalized families may lack trust in institutions, widening the disconnect.

The Opportunities

• Rebuilding community roles: Creating structured ways for neighbours, elders, and volunteers to contribute meaningfully to school and child development.
• Partnerships: Schools linking with nonprofits, faith groups, and local businesses to share responsibility.
• Modern “villages”: Leveraging digital platforms to coordinate mentorship, support, and engagement across busy lives.
• Policy support: Encouraging workplace flexibility so parents and caregivers can actually show up.

The Bigger Picture

If the “village” is missing, children pay the price — but so does democracy, resilience, and social trust. Raising children cannot be outsourced entirely to teachers or governments. It must be a shared responsibility.

The Question

How do we bring the village back to life in an era of individualism, economic pressure, and fractured community ties?