Children and the Power of Dependence

John Dewey described the potential of education as rooted in dependence. While the word often carries a negative connotation—suggesting passivity or overreliance—it actually holds the key to learning and connection. To grow, children must know how to ask for help and how to offer it. Yet today, many children struggle with both. Dependence is not something they can avoid; it’s part of growing up. The real question is: who are they learning from, and what kind of system are they depending on? Children learn by watching. What adults show and how they show it matters deeply. And right now, many adults are failing to do either.