Introduction
The poverty rate in USA is very high; the decline in family income has a negative impact on the children growing up in deprived conditions. Its effects on children cut across health, education, development, and nutrition; this presents children from growing up in favorable conditions and achieving their full potential (Maile, 2009). There is a variety of factors contributing to the current state of poverty and its impact on children. If not dealt with, the factors will continue in reducing the quality of life for children in USA. There is vast research on the impact and scope of poverty in USA; there is a need to determine and deal with the impact of poverty on children’s lives. The introduction of efficient programs in curbing the impact of poverty is required (Douglas-Hall & Keball, 2006).
Statistics on poverty effects on children
Through the years, statistics on the extent of child poverty change; by 2007, it showed that 13.3 million children in America lived in poverty; this is an estimated one in every six children. Close to 5.8 million children in America lived in extreme poverty; this shows the gravity of the situation. As the years go by, the rate of poverty increases; despite the attempts in reducing the issue, it increases. A high number of poor children live in families with working parents; an estimated 7 in every 10 poor children have parents working part or full-time. There is also evidence of the racial factor in these cases; a high number of African American and Hispanic children live in poverty. On the other hand, the Caucasians living in poverty are few. 1 out of 3 black children and 1 out of 4 Hispanic children live in poverty; only one out of 10 Caucasian children experience the same. A high number of children in their early childhood years live in poverty; as the age increases, this number reduces (Moore, 2002).
Statistical evidence associated parents’ educational levels with poverty. Many parents who have just a high school diploma or fail to complete high school live in poverty. The low level of education contributes to the acquisition of low-paying jobs thus inability to provide for basic needs. The percentage is as high as 48%. Poverty level of children with educated parents is at 3%. Family structures determine the level of poverty in families; children in single-parent families have a high risk of poverty. It is harder for a single parent to provide for the children’s basic needs, in comparison to the combined effort from both parents. Children living with grandparents or relatives often live in poverty; this is 42%, whereas those with parents is at 17%. Poverty increasingly becomes a suburban challenge; the number of poor families living in urban areas increases (Children’s Defense Fund, 2008).
Child poverty
In most cases, poverty is a situation where a family is not able to provide for the members’ basic needs. In such families, children lack access to adequate and quality; food, healthcare services, housing, education, clothing, and overall childcare. According to the Children’s Defense Fund (2008), the definition focuses on a number of family members and children. For instance, a family of four with 2 children is poor if its annual income is less than 21,027; this is the government’s estimation of the amount for adequate provision of children’s basic needs.
Poverty pathways
Life in poverty has a heavy toll on children; it affects them through a variety of pathways. In order to comprehend the impact of poverty on children, it is crucial to analyze the pathways. The main pathways include; health and nutrition, parental interaction with children, home environment, parental mental health, and neighborhood conditions (Brooks-Gunn & Duncan, 2013). Many parents work and spend hours looking for money; there is a limited time for healthy interaction with the children due to exhausting and long working hours. Dealing with challenges, such as lack of food, pushes parents to depression and frustration; in this state, it is hard to establish happy and healthy relationships with the children. A barrier emerged; without guidance and family support, children engage in aggression, disobedience, crime and other activities. Parental interaction with children is a medium through which poverty affects children’s development. In poor families, bonding is low.
A child’s home environment determines the number and quality of learning opportunities, family interaction, and home’s physical condition. The home environment depicts the family’s income level; it is a way through which the income level affects the child’s life. A difference in the home environment for low-income and high-income families shows how poverty impacts the quality of life.
Through the health and nutrition, poverty affects the child’s school achievement, cognitive ability, and low birth weight. These factors affect the child’s abilities in school. Low birth weight leads to learning disabilities and grade retention. A research study showed that cumulative health challenges contribute to low IQ in poor children (Brooks-Gunn & Duncan, 2013).
Parental mental health is also an issue; poor parents have low emotional and physical health. It translates into the lack of emotional competence in raising and guiding children; emotional support is crucial in ensuring children develop properly. Parents with depression and irritability symptoms have conflicting relationships with their children. It impacts the behavior, mental and psychological health. Physically unhealthy parents experience difficulty in finding and maintain work.
Neighborhood conditions are also a way through which poverty affects children. The level of income determines the family’s residence; poor families seek affordable accommodation in low-level neighborhoods. They experience crime, poor sanitation, housing and insecurity; this increases the risks children face. They face unhealthy behaviors, diseases, lack of quality services and limited educational opportunities.
Effects of poverty on children
Poverty has widespread effects on the children’s lives; the effects are adverse and if not dealt with, can be hazardous. Poverty affects the children in terms of health, early development, food security, home and family development, education and crime.
- Health
Children in poor families have limited access to healthcare services; they are less likely to have good health. Statistically, one in every five children lacks health insurance. The lack of adequate and quality provision of essential needs also increases the chances of health risks such as infections and nutritional complications. The severity of diseases and infections is also higher in poor children; this associates with the low immunity levels. According to Moore (2002), poor children exhibit low health outcomes. They have many cases of low birth weight, and early mortality. As they grow up, they have high chances of developing chronic health conditions such as; anemia and asthma. According to researchers, poverty in a child’s first three years contributes to poor nutritional levels. Nutrition plays a significant role in developing of physical, social and cognitive abilities. Poor nutrition results in stunted growth. They also have high risks of accidents and injuries. At the adolescent stage, poor children have a high risk of engaging in health-compromising behaviors like early sexual activity, smoking and alcoholism.
- Food security
In poor families, the provision of basic needs is a major challenge; among these is the provision of food. Children in such families lack adequate food; the food they access is usually low quality. In some cases, children go hungry or eat without knowing the source of the next meal. The lack of food drives children to risky behaviors such as stealing and eating out of garbage cans. Others engage in robbery, drug peddling, and prostitution in an attempt to get money for food. Food is an essential part of a child’s life (Ratcliffe & McKernan, 2012). A child with adequate food lives in comfort; this ensures healthy social interactions and education.
- Early development
According to various researchers, challenges related to poverty affects children’s cognitive development. The early years are vital in the child’s lifelong development. Children in poor families record poor performance in schools (Moore, 2002). They have difficulties in various subjects; the housing, food, diseases and other problems distract and prevent them from concentrating on the acquisition of knowledge. It also relates to the development of non-cognitive abilities. The challenges continue even when the child grows into an adult. They end up in unemployed and low-earning adults; the cycle of poverty continues.
- Home and family environment
Poverty results in high cases of stress and conflicts in families; low-income parents experience economic pressure and this results in money arguments, harsh and inconsistent disciplinary action on their children. Women in poor families report high cases of depression; this results in poor performance, language and behavioral disabilities. The impact of family experiences on poor children is hazardous. The effects also relate to family activities; activities in high income families vary from those in low-income families. Poor children lack access to adequate books, computers and television at home; this limits their access to information and acquisition of knowledge.
- Education
Few poor children acquire and complete their education the number of poor children whom graduate is low. They lack access to adequate books and other learning resources. Hunger and health complications make concentration in class a challenge; this impedes the acquisition of knowledge and progress in performance (Ratcliffe & McKernan, 2012). Some of the learners discontinue the learning process due to lack of tuition and upkeep fees; they resort to low-quality jobs in a bid to provide basic needs.
- Crime
The lack of quality education means the person cannot acquire a decent job. Children who lack basic needs suffer; in some cases, the suffering drives them to criminal activities like theft. Children in poor families have a high risk of engaging in criminal activities; cases of forceful entry, car theft, assault and sale of drugs relate to poor children.
Recommendations
The situation requires efficient solutions; the task of reducing child poverty and its effects on children requires strategic considerations. It can occur through a focus on various factors.
First and foremost, there is a need to maintain financial work support; a high number of poor children have working parents. The use of efficient pay programs for parents also helps their children; they are able to provide for the children’s basic needs. One of these programs is the Earned Income Tax Credit; it helped 2.6 million children out of poverty by 1998 and continues to do so. There should be a focus on welfare-to-work initiatives; building on these involves the use of financial incentives and provision of jobs thus improving family income. They facilitate extra earning.
Support strategies should focus on strengthening marriages and decreasing teenage pregnancies. As discussed earlier, many children in single-parent families experience poverty. An increase in teenage births also contribute to child poverty; teenage parents lack the education or skill to get good jobs and provide for their children’s needs. Sensitizing teenagers on sexual health and responsible behavior reduce poverty.
Efforts in the promotion of child support enforcement, father involvement and job training, should improve. An analysis of statistics reveals that an increase in child support translates into lowered poverty; in 1996, it saved over half a million children from poverty. It caters for children who do not receive welfare and child support from non-resident parents. Non-resident parents, who are mostly fathers, should provide child support. Their provision of child support increases involvement in other aspects of the child’s life such as social and health. Such parents need job training and other services; this improves job prospects and their ability to provide child support.
Child care subsidies should continue and improve; the provision of quality child care is costly for working poor parents. They thus need help in providing for the children’s needs. Apart from subsidies they need food and health care support (Children’s Defense Fund, 2008). The children have inadequate food and go hungry most of the time. Food provision ensures the meeting of children’s nutritional needs. Parents should be made aware of their eligibility for services like Medicaid and food stamps. By applying for such services, they learn how they can provide basic needs, cater for expenses, and an increase in family income.
Conclusion
Poverty in USA has gross consequences on children; it affects their social, emotional, physical, and educational development. It makes life difficult and results in health challenges, poor nutrition, social skills and ability in schools. The lack of basic needs drives children to unhealthy behavior and practices such as crime and irresponsible sexual activities. Ensuring economic stability provides a safe and healthy environment for the child’s development (Douglas-Hall & Keball, 2006). There is a need for efficient policies in ensuring child protection from the detrimental effects of poverty. The strategies ensure; a framework for parents’ financial support, welfare-to-work initiatives, marriage preservation, reduction in teenage pregnancy, child support, job training, father involvement and child care subsidies. It will ensure a reduction in the number of children affected by poverty.
Reference
Brooks-Gunn, J. and Duncan, G. J. (2013). The Effects of Poverty on Children. Children and Poverty, Vol. 7(2), Retrieved November 17, 2013 from http://www.princeton.edu/futureofchildren/pubications/docs/07_02_03.pdf
Children’s Defense Fund (2008). Child Poverty in America, Retrieved November 17, 2013 from http://www.childrensdefense.org/child-research-data-publications/datachild-poverty-in- america.pdf
Douglas-Hall, A. and Keball, H. (2006). The New Poor: Regional trends in child poverty since 2000. National Center for Children in Poverty, Retrieved November 18, 2013 from http://www.nccp.org/publications/pdf/text_672.pdf
Maile, W. W. (2009). The Epidemic of Child Poverty in the United States: Causes and proposed resolution. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. University of New York: UMI Dissertation Publishing
Moore, K. A. and Redd, Z. (2002). Children in Poverty: Trends, consequences, and policy options. Child Trends Research Brief, Retrieved November 17, 2013 from http://www.childtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/PovertyRB.pdf
Ratcliffe, C. and McKernan, S. (2012). Child Poverty and Its Lasting Consequences: Low- income working families, Paper 21. Washington, DC: The Urban Institute, Retrieved November 17, 2013 from http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/412659-Child-Poverty- and-Its-Lasting-Consequences-Paper.pdf
