But Not All Included In Favorite Mantra Con: Family Town Spokane Is Only Great For The Comfortable

Okay now, all together: Spokane is a ——- place to raise kids. No doubt the missing word is GREAT, and its been Spokane’s mantra forever.

Now a parent, I find the statement dubious in that it reflects reality for only some of us.

Spokane has many advantages - especially for people with good jobs who bought a home when they were still affordable.

For us, the town is relatively safe, commutes are short, and there is a seeming abundance of free or low-cost activities from Lilac and Bloomsday events to hiking, biking and free swimming.

For those who work regular hours and have disposable income, there is good day-care and teens from solid families for babysitting.

But even with all this, great is not the word that comes to mind. An independent group that ranked 207 cities on issues related to kids placed Spokane 134th - barely average. Boise, Seattle, San Francisco, and Fargo, N.D. ranked higher.

Though I don’t know why Spokane ranked so low, one guess is that even kids living in comfortable homes are deprived of amenities from fluoridated water and safe intersections (some neighborhoods don’t even have sidewalks), to indoor swimming pools, an aquarium, and a spectrum of challenges such as a science or kids-oriented museum.

Let’s not even talk about a good Jewish deli or ethnic diversity.

And, if this is such a great to raise kids, why aren’t there more activities geared toward teenagers such as a drop-in center where they can dance and hear music. Why are 22 percent of our kids living in poverty? And why is our 13 percent teen pregnancy rate the highest in the state?

It’s no secret that this seemingly great place to raise kids loses many of its greatest kids after they are raised. Our economy doesn’t offer them the same opportunities it did their parents.

For families who have a support system, stay involved and know how to get things done, Spokane is a warm and caring place for their kids.

For families whose parents lack adequate transportation, work odd hours, don’t have health insurance, or for families with too little education or too many differences, Spokane can be cruel.

The sooner we face this, the better for all our kids.

, DataTimes MEMO: See the Pro:Family town editorial under the headline: Look around, it’s still a friendly place

The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = EDITORIAL, COLUMN - From both sides