Let’s take a moment to look at some startling statistics. In 2016, four children in the U.S. tragically lost their lives due to lightning strikes. Meanwhile, gun violence claimed 637 kids under the age of 11. Between 2002 and 2011, over 9,000 American children under 12 died in car accidents. In 2014 alone, 425 children aged 10 to 14 took their own lives. Additionally, 2,696 children under 14 died from unintentional injuries, and there were 643 homicide cases. According to the CDC, nearly ten people die from unintentional drowning each day, with two of them being children aged 14 or younger.
In stark contrast, not a single American child was killed by terrorists in 2016. The only exceptions in recent years include one child during the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 and eight children who tragically lost their lives on 9/11. Yes, there were 19 children affected by the Oklahoma City bombings in 1995, but that’s it.
As we debate the number of Syrian refugees to accept into our country, we should keep these statistics in mind. While children die in war-torn regions like Aleppo at alarming rates due to violence, our focus seems misplaced. The refugee vetting process is incredibly strict, with nine steps involved before one can enter the U.S., including multiple opportunities for rechecks. Only 1% of global refugees qualify for admission here, and the chances of a terrorist slipping through that minuscule net are far less than the risk of a child drowning or dying from homicide.
We often fixate on extraordinary risks rather than the everyday ones. The media rarely highlights the shocking rates of child drowning or the tragic outcomes of car crashes. Instead, they focus on sensational stories: shark attacks, mass shootings, and terrorism. Government public service announcements, on the other hand, tend to emphasize the mundane dangers like wearing seatbelts and child vaccinations.
Risk perception can be distorted. According to “The Political Science of Risk Perception,” the way regular people perceive risk is often skewed by their experiences and beliefs. Amidst headlines about radicalized individuals hiding among Syrian refugees, many people are led to perceive them as a greater danger than, say, the neighborhood swimming pool.
The media and political discourse have conditioned us to view individuals from certain backgrounds as threats. For example, Jason Miller, a spokesperson for a prominent political figure, suggested that past registries of foreign visitors helped maintain national security. However, this view overlooks the fact that many terrorists, including the 9/11 hijackers, came from U.S.-allied nations like Saudi Arabia.
In August, the U.S. welcomed its 10,000th Syrian refugee, meeting a goal set by the previous administration amidst global pressure. These refugees have settled in cities like Atlanta, Kansas City, and San Diego, among others. To date, there have been zero reported fatalities of American children due to these refugees.
So, what should you really be worried about? Focus on your swimming pool. Keep an eye on that unsecured firearm. Make sure your child’s car seat is properly installed and that they’re buckled up. Don’t forget about the second leading cause of infant deaths—issues surrounding pregnancy—or the dangers of childhood cancer, which ranks among the top causes of death for kids aged 1 to 14. The threat of Syrian refugees is the least of your worries; in fact, worry more about them being in danger before they even arrive.
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Summary
In summary, while we often focus on sensational threats like terrorism, the real dangers to our children come from everyday risks such as drowning and gun violence. It’s time to shift our perspective and prioritize the safety of our loved ones over fears fueled by media narratives.