Tooth Fairy Justice

We used to get 50c under the pillow. I can’t remember whether I thought the pain was worth it or not, but I can remember the 50c. I use to wish that more of my teeth would fall out.

These days I’m a father and have the privilege of representing my children’s interests in negotiations with the Tooth Fairy. The price can fluctuate depending on demand - demand on my wallet. Generally speaking, there has been a 300% price increase. In the Auckland Central teeth market a $2 coin usually finds its way mysteriously under the pillow.

There is an old saying about ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’. The principle here is that the one who has suffered has the right to inflict the same level of suffering upon the one who has caused their suffering. It’s called retributive justice.

It doesn’t work, and I doubt it ever has. Israelis and Palestinians having been taking eyes and teeth out of each other for decades and the place is full of suffering and empty of justice and peace . With every blast and bullet the seeds of hatred are sowed for the future.

The principle of the Tooth Fairy is recompense for pain. The Fairy acknowledges the hurt. It doesn’t relieve the hurt. The child, hopefully with parental support, has to work the hurt out herself. The recompense is not equal to, or tries to be equal to, the level of suffering. The money simply acknowledges and compensates a little. It’s called restorative justice.

Some would say we’re encouraging trade in body parts - the mentality that everything, your body, your mind, even your teeth, has a price. I agree it’s possible to write the Tooth Fairy off as a servant of boundless capitalism. Like with most myths there is a downside.

Yet the Tooth Fairy can be more than that. It can be a vehicle for encouraging solidarity: the value of acknowledging the pain and injustice experienced by others. Maybe if we exercise solidarity in the little things, we might be able to step beyond our presumptions and prejudices and exercise solidarity in the big things. And big things will cost more than any amount of money under pillow.