Paving The Path To Self-Advocacy

Teaching kids the skills they need to advocate for themselves.

- Vanessa Infanzon

Before I had children, I worked in the dean of students office at Queens University of Charlotte. My job was to help students achieve personal and academic goals. The most successful students were able to discuss their ideas, use campus resources and identify opportunities. At the time, I knew these students were special, but I did not fully realize the importance of the skills they possessed. They came to college prepared to ask questions and to make sure they got the most out of their college experience.

As a parent, I know how easy it can be to talk for my children and solve their problems. It’s often quicker, neater and gets the job done my way. But like those college students, I want my boys to know how to seek out what they need, and it’s my job now to teach them how to speak up for themselves in order to achieve success in school, careers and relationships.

Why self-Advocacy is important

For 21 years, Ernest Jeffries has advised students through faculty issues and personal situations as the associate dean at Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina. He believes teaching children to self-advocate at a young age is key to achieving success in later years.

“It is hugely important,” Jeffries says. “We are in an era where parents are over involved in their children’s lives. When the parents are like that, then kids come to college and they have no clue how to advocate for themselves.”