The members of the Association for Moral Education (AME, amenetwork.org)—philosophers, psychologists, educators, practitioners, and scholars—condemn the separation of parents and children. As professionals, we know this treatment to have long-term, traumatic impact on their mental health and well-being.

We call on the US administration and Congress to end what we know to be inhumane and immoral treatment, and to reunite children with their parents immediately.

We also express concern about the impact of this government’s actions on the moral health of democracy.  The need for a renewed focus on moral and civics education is clear.

It is our responsibility to help children understand injustice so that they and generations after will be more ethically grounded and will uphold moral principles as community members, holding self and others accountable.

Therefore, we offer the following guideline to parents, guardians, and all those who work with or care for children:

Sometimes governments undermine their own principles of democracy and basic human values. However, in a democracy, the people have a responsibility and also the ability to come together to oppose injustice and work to bring about ethical change.

We ask that you talk to children about what is being done and what can be done to fight injustice, and work with us to educate others to uphold a moral democracy.