Children In Poverty: An American Problem

This simple statement, made by James Garbarino in his book Raising Children in a Socially Toxic Environment, concisely and appropriately describes the current state of children and youth in America. Garbarino suggests that children today are being brought up in a socially toxic environment where violence, divorce, racism, addiction, educational failure, poor physical health, and adult emotional problems are just a few of the "toxic" social forces converging on children, robbing them of their innocence and dignity. Moreover, he argues, children who are faced with economic distress and poverty are particularly vulnerable. For them the risks are compounded, as

Fifty-five percent of boys and sixty-six percent of girls miss out on at least one of the three meals were meant to have a day. Child poverty in the first three years of life is related to substandard nutritional status and poor motor skills; poverty is also associated with childhood obesity- as they get older, poor children are more likely to have chronic health problems, such as asthma and anaemia. (American Psychological Association, 2018).

In a valley known for such wealth and prosperity, there is a growing rate of child poverty. Child poverty is very visible and could be practically eliminated by building more affordable housing for families, creating more jobs to give people a chance to get above the poverty line and, raising the minimum wage to help low income families make enough money to support themselves and their families.

There have been a serious issue in this country of child poverty that I think that should be resolved and taken care of. Have you heard in the news that children are suffering from malnutrition up to 160 days of illness a year? That’s a big number, and plus that’s not even the half of deaths of children a year. 12.4 million children, are food insecure and at risk of hunger. Children is not getting enough of food to eat, due to the fact that their parents do not have the funds to provide for them. Did you know that 22.4% of Black and 17.8% of Latino households experience food insecurity over the course of the year, as compared to 8.1% of White households. In the black culture, there are struggling single-mothers that have to strive for their

All over the world, there are children suffering due to the way of life they were born into. There are children that are living in poverty, living without knowing what a better life could be. Our great country, the United States of America, gifts my generation stability. I am thankful everyday because I know what my life could be like if I lived in an undeveloped country. Instead I live in a great country, the United States, where I have rights that children in other countries don’t have. There are brave soldiers in America that make the decision to risk their lives so we are able to have a meaningful life.

Over the past couple years the cost of expenditures for child poverty has increased. It is now costing more to take care and provide for children in poverty than it is for governments to reduce and eliminate poverty as a whole. A large cause for child poverty is that children are born into families who have lower earnings which lead to those children growing up with a low potential to excel and therefore have job that pays low thus causing a recycled process. Living in poverty and low class segments in countries also takes a hit towards that country’s economy in the form of foregone earnings, crime and healthcare for those who grew up in poverty, one country that sees a large hit is the United States that faces a cost of $500 billion annually.

The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP), at the Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, researched children living in families who are barely able to afford their most basic needs, which is affecting children from infants, toddlers to adolescents. To transform the problem of child poverty, leaders and agencies need to implement policies that will improve the lives and development of children in low-income families, for the likelihood of their future success. The NCCP director of Family Economic Security, Heather Koball stated, “The anxiety, depression, and constant stress of being financially vulnerable leaves a lasting mark on children as they grow to adulthood, affecting earnings potential and health outcomes

Childhood and adolescence are expected to be the times of great functioning and physical health, yet poverty provokes this from occurring and children face poor health. Children living in poverty are at immense risk for their development, health and overall well-being. According to Komro, 2011, the absolute rate of poverty among children is higher in the United States than in other industrialized nations. Nationally, One in five children are living in poverty (Raphel, 2014). Malnourishment is one of the numerous outcomes from poverty; children are suffering each day in America with this threat to their health. Malnourishment is a result of either not having sufficient nutrients in their diet or having it excessively that it causes health problems.

The statistics of children living in poverty are at elevated quantities. Nationally, around one in five children are living in poverty (Raphel, 2014). Social Services (2015), specifies that 21.6% of the United States’ children were living in poverty in 2013.

Poverty has an extensive effect on school age children’s socioemotional development. California Department of Education (2005) states that socioemotional development includes the child’s experience, expression, and management of emotions and ability to establish positive and rewarding relationships with others. A study conducted by The National Center for Children in Poverty (2009) proclaim that between 9.5 and 14.2 percent of children between 0-5 years of age experience social-emotional problems that negatively impact their functioning, development and school readiness. Yet, poverty and income loss may directly affect boys more than girls (Bolder et al., 1995; Patterson et al., 1990). Nonetheless, there is an alarming rate of children’s socioemotional development being affected by poverty.

Children born in poverty grow with many restrictions and obstacles; limits are set when it comes to education and many other needs. Kids born privileged will be able to attend a good schooling system and most likely be on the road to a successful future. This problem has been issued but so far there has been little success of repair.

Throughout this paper, discussions will take place on, child poverty, an advancing social issue in New Zealand. Also, reasons why child poverty is a social issue in New Zealand will be debated. In addition, key concepts of three core sociological perspectives; structural functionalism, symbolic interactionism and conflict perspective will be explored. Followed by, explanations of child poverty in New Zealand, from each of the three perspectives will be given in order to explore the different viewpoints. Furthermore, throughout each perspective the impact of child poverty, upon Māori will be intertwined.

What is poverty? For people who do not know what poverty is, the Merriam- Webster dictionary defines it as “the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions” ("Poverty"). To make it even easier it is basically the state of being extremely poor. Poverty is a huge global issue and it can affect anyone. Whether the person is young or old, male or female. Poverty does not discriminate against people, which is why people should not sit back and ignore it. Almost half the world lives on less than $2.50 a day. That is over 3 billion people (Shah). Those that poverty affects the most are families with children, workless households, lone parents, and people with certain disabilities("Child Poverty Action Group"). As a start of the fight against poverty people should focus on helping the children because children are the future and no child deserves to suffer through poverty.

Poverty is existing worldwide epidemic and it is affecting millions of adults and children mentally, physically and emotionally .Poverty is the inability to purchase or have access to the basic human needs. This includes food, shelter, education, clean water and proper sanitation .It depends not only on income but also on access to services. In 1998 a UN Statement on poverty, signed by the heads of all UN agencies stated: defines poverty as “the denial of choices and opportunities, violation of human dignity. It means lack of basic capacity to participate effectively in society. It means not having enough to feed and clothe a family, not having a school or clinic to go to; not having the land on which to grow one’s food or a job to earn one’s living, not having access to credit. It means insecurity, powerlessness and exclusion of individuals, households and communities. It means susceptibility to violence, and it often implies living on marginal or fragile environments, without access to clean water or sanitation.

Imagine living in a world where technology slowly upgrades once every ten years, or having to use the same type of technology for a lifetime. Imagine going to school and think you can do better, but do not have the right tools and teaching. Imagine going to school, looking outside the window, and seeing dirt instead of grass. For people living in urban areas it is hard to imagine all of these things. Poverty is a growing disease that is spreading not only through America but also around the world. America’s economy spends millions of dollars each year trying to reduce the levels of poverty, but still children are left with a reduced chance of ever achieving their goals and dreams. Children that are raised in