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Poverty effects on childrens life chances
Poverty to affect mental and physical health
Poverty effects on childrens life chances
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The American society faces a countless number of social problems that began several generations ago and that will continue for many more generations to come, but childhood poverty is a social problem that the American society cannot afford to go another generation without greatly reducing the number of children that experience a life in poverty. The United States is home to “More than 16 million children – 22% of all children – live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level - $23,550 a year for a family of four” (National Center for Children in Poverty, 2014). Childhood poverty is a major concern for the American society based on poverty’s ability to have such negative effects on a child’s physical and mental health, the detrimental …show more content…
“Compared with non-poor children, poorer children in the United States experience diminished physical health as measured by a number of indicators of health status and outcomes” (Brooks-Gunn & Duncan, 1997). Children who are born in poverty are more likely to be born at a low birth weight and more likely to experience exposure to lead poising. Low birth weight is associated with physical health, cognitive, and emotional issues that can continue through childhood, adolescence, and even into adulthood. Furthermore, “Serious physical disabilities, grade repetition, and learning disabilities are more prevalent among children who were low birth weight as infants, as are lower levels of intelligence and of math and reading achievement” (Brooks-Gunn & Duncan, 1997). Additionally, children living in poverty have a higher chance of being exposed to lead poising, which also contributes to serious long term health issues for children. “At very young ages, lead exposure is linked to stunted growth, hearing loss, vitamin D metabolism damage, impaired blood production, and toxic effects on the kidneys” (Brooks-Gunn & Duncan, 1997). With these two common issues that are likely to lead to serious long term effects for children living in poverty health insurance for children is of extreme importance, yet he number of children without health insurance in the United States remained at “7 percent in 2013” (Child Stats Gov, 2015). With the exceptionally high cost of medical care in the United States the 7 percent of children without health insurance are likely not receiving the medical attention to treat low birth rate concerns and lead poising exposure issues to prevent these issues from lasting long term or worsening. “Given the importance of the early years, young children must be provided with the best possible start in in life to maximize their potential”
1. Poor Kids is a documentary that highlights a major issue the United States is suffering from. This issue is known as poverty, more specifically, childhood poverty. This documentary views the world through the eyes of children that are subjected to lives of poverty due to the poor financial state that their parents are in. Life is very rough for these children and they must live their everyday lives with little to none of the luxuries most people take for granted. Poor Kids sheds light on the painful
Childhood development is both a biological and psychological period that occurs to every human from birth to adolescence. The transition from dependency to autonomy characterizes this period. The crucial factors that affect this period include parental life, prenatal development and genetics among others. Childhood period is immensely significant for the child’s future health and development. Efforts in ensuring proper child development are normally seen through parents, health professional and educators
Children in families with lower incomes at or below the poverty line have been connected with poor cognitive and social development in early childhood. The studies that I chose to use evaluate the cognitive and social development during early childhood using various surveys, evaluations, and observations completed by or with the children, parents, and teachers. Development of any kind is dependent on the interplay of nature and nurture, or genetics and environment. These studies draw from a child’s
Impacts of Poverty on Children in the 21st Century Many people believe that people in poverty are just lazy with weak work ethics. That, however, is far from the truth. Many factors play a role in why poverty is not all about work ethic, motivation, or even finance management, debunking the misconception. Although the 21st century has many advancements towards the betterment of life, poverty still poses as a threat. Poverty has been and continues to be a key problem throughout the 21st century,
The Effect of Poverty on Children Poverty is an economic condition in which people lack the income to obtain basic needs, like food, water, clothing, and shelter (“Poverty”). Poverty is an ongoing internationally battle that has yet to have been won according to Scott W. Allard, Associate Professor at the University of Chicago poverty affects more the 1 billion people throughout the world. It could affect anyone regardless, of race, sex, and age; but its effect on children is crucial and could affect
through poverty developed my love for interventions and social services. My years of acclimating to American culture have enabled me to engage in my education and earn responsible positions such as a resident assistant (RA), and president of the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville’s Black Student Union organization. To effectively sustain my positions, I became accustom to wearing many hats on any given day and setting boundaries. These skills have helped me to prepare myself as a future social worker
“I am not a social worker. I am not a teacher, even. That is my fear, you know, that I really can’t do anything. Helping them to get and education is not going to do anything, but without help they are doomed (Born into Brothels, 2004).” Zana Briski made this statement in her documentary Born into Brothels, referring to the children of sex workers in Sonagachi. This statement exemplifies child saving, a dominant theme in children’s discourse, that portrays children as vulnerable, innocent, and in
abilities or opportunities to decide what happens to them. They cannot choose their family structure or status. Therefore, poverty is not a choice, but a lifestyle for children and impacts every aspect of their lives. Poverty contributes to poor health, the widespread transmission of disease by family or environment, lack of education and increased incidents of violence. Poverty affects a child’s development and contributes to antisocial behavior and sometimes hostile acts of aggression due to a lack
Forty years ago in America childhood obesity was rarely a topic of conversation. A survey done in the early 1970s showed that 6.1% of children between the ages 12 and 19 were overweight. Eight years later the same survey was done and 17.4% were considered overweight (Iannelli). “Childhood obesity epidemic in America is now a confirmed fact since the number of overweight or obese children has more than tripled during the last 30 years” (Childhood Obesity Epidemic). “Over the last 20 years, the prevalence
sure that people may agree that children can’t struggle with poverty. We can’t end poverty but we can work to end poverty in some child lives. Children didn’t choose to be poor and their parents, country, state , race, color, neighborhood, and faith. There are 35 countries living in poverty and united states is 34thposition on child poverty. People who experience poverty during the children tend to be more likely to experience poverty during the adult life. American never expend money and energy
Early Childhood Education and Social Inequalities Early Childhood Development and Social Inequalities All families should have the same opportunities to live a descent life. But due to the backgrounds of some families, and children, they may not have a chance for this. There are certain risk factors that have a bearing on social inequalities in health, and particularly those that are prone to preventative intervention. There are many that I could talk about, but I have picked out four of
in place during early childhood. The following maps and fact sheets are a snapshot of level of risk in Kansas and research on risk and protective factors for school readiness. A number of risk factors can delay school readiness, while protective factors help support children to be ready for school. MAPS The following maps depict the level of risk for each county based on census data for these risk factors: percent of families with children under 18 living in poverty (Poverty) percent of adults with
Childhood poverty has increased to its highest point in 20 years (Holland, 2014) and become a major concern and issue in the United States. Since 2007-2009 poverty has increased 2.3 percentage points for white children and 6.4 percentage points for Hispanics (Lopez, & Velasco, 2011). The Children’s defense fund states that 1in5 children in America are poor. This increase is putting millions of children at an increased risk of injury or death (Holland, 2014). The U.S. has been fighting the war on
‘Not-So-Luck’ of the Irish Angela’s Ashes describes the childhood and early adulthood of its author, Frank McCourt, as his family is forced to move from place to place in order to escape the burdens of their poverty. At the beginning of the novel, the author’s parents, both Irish-born, meet in Brooklyn, and are forced to marry as the author’s mother, Angela, becomes pregnant. During their time in the states, Frank’s family is stricken with poverty, as his father struggles to find work and, once he manages
than those from middle and upper income families,” (Development, 2008). Children who have disadvantaged childhoods tend to deal with lack of resources and horrible educational resources result in teen pregnancy. It is more common for children who live in poverty. According to Sarah K. Garwood, Division of Adolescent Medicine at Washington University et al., argues that teenagers who live in poverty with Child Protective Services (CPS) history has a higher risk of getting pregnant than children with