Effects Of Poverty On Child Development

Introduction

“The deleterious effects of poverty on child development have been well established in psychosocial research, with poverty identified as being among the most powerful risk factors for poor developmental outcomes. Children exposed to poverty have poorer cognitive outcomes and school performance, and they are at higher risk for antisocial behaviors and mental disorders” (Luby J, et al., 2013). Being exposed to poverty at a very young age can significantly impact every aspect of development from cognitive problems, behavioral problems, social and emotional functioning, and school performance (Hanson et al., 2013). Living in poverty children experience a lot of stress due to the family’s inability to provide effectively. Most impoverished

In today’s society 45 million people in the United States are living in poverty, in one of the most developed countries; subsequently, the U.S. also has one of the worst school systems in developed countries. In order to change the demographics of our country we must put children’s education and well-being first. Today there is a plethora of resources to help children overcome some of the struggles caused because of poverty. Research has shown that in order to make improvements within an impoverished child’s development, their physical environment has to be improved (Hanson et al., 2013). Children need stimulating environments to promote positive development. Parents have to bring books into the home and improve the overall physical environment with better lighting and cleaner rooms (Dearing, 2008). There are programs to help children overcome stress like parent trainings; children support groups, and family support groups. These type of programs promote healthy stimulation because they taking away some of the stress that is caused by the trauma from poverty (Haskins, et al., 2014). Home-visitations from social workers are also affective at help children coup with the traumas from poverty. Because the social work can teach the parent positive parenting styles, like being more responsive to their child’s needs, and have a less punitive approach when reprimanding their child (Haskins, et al., 2014). Over all the programs have been effective at helping children overcome stress through home visitations, early health care assistant, and supplying economic aid which also help improve school work, social development, and behavioral