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1. Poverty: Effects on Children Jacquelyn Scott Finial Project Argosy University-Student
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3. Problem 16% of children were poor 7.7% of babies born had low birth weights 5 pound and 8 ounces low oxygen levels, infection, SIDS, body temperate regulation, and many more health problems. clean water, nutrition, health care, clothing, and shelter;
4. Problem Federal Poverty > 4 $16,000 Twice the federal poverty level 12 million children below poverty 5 million children less then half Lack of resources
5. Problem Food security Food insecurity Classified as hungry Lack of financial resources
6. Solution Economy that works for all Strengthening the bargaining power of workers Earned income tax credit Increasing minimum wage
7. Solution Training and education Relief from health care Workplace flexibility and paid time off Paid sick time Tend to child’s needs 3 in 4 low wage
8. Solution Paid time of leave for new born child Help paying for child care Assistance in reliable care
9. References Monroe County United Ministries. (2010). The Poverty Problem. Retrieved May 31, 2010, from Poverty and Hunger:http://www.bloomington.in.us/~mcum/the_poverty_problem.htm National Center for Children in Poverty. (2009). NCCP|Homes. Retrieved May 31, 2010, from National Center for Children in Poverty: http://www.nccp.org/ *used more references in proposal
Editor's Notes
Among the 21 most affluent nations, the United States has the highest percentage of poor children. In fact, our rate is twice that of the country next in line. Too many young Americans go to bed with empty stomachs. They also wake up to seemingly hopeless futures: school problems, unemployment, welfare, gangs, drugs and crime. Children of poverty are more likely to suffer young and violent deaths. Mentally and physically malnourished for the first five years of their lives, they are unable to keep up in class.
Nationally, in 2002, 16% of children were poor and 7.7% of babies born had low birth weights. A baby born under 5 pound and 8 ounces falls in the low birth weight category. Low birth weights produce a number of problems like low oxygen levels, infection, SIDS, body temperate regulation, and many more health problems. When basic human needs are not met; clean water, nutrition, health care, clothing, and shelter; poverty occurs. In America, relative poverty occurs often, which means fewer resources and lower income then others in society, compared to the world average.
For a family of three the federal poverty level is $16,000 and for a family of four it is $19,000. Research shows that, it takes an annual income of at least twice the federalpoverty level to cover a family’s most basic needs. Twelve million children live in families with annual incomes below the federal poverty. More than 5 million children live in families with annual incomes of less than half the poverty level. When hunger in America is discussed, people are referring to the lack of access to food due to poverty or resources. (Monroe County United Ministries, 2010).
Food security refers to a guarantee of enough food for an active, healthy life, with no need for emergency food sources or other surprising survival behaviors in order to meet basic food needs. Food insecurity refers to the lack of access to enough food to fully meet basic needs at all times due to lack of financial resources. Households classified as hungry are those in which adults have decreased the quality and quantity of food they consume because of lack of money to the point where they are likely to be hungry on a frequent basis. Households in which the children's intake of food has been reduced due to lack of family financial resources to the point that children are likely to be hungry on a regular basis and the adults' food intake is severely reduced are also classified as hungry. Even when hunger is not present, households can be classified as food insecure.(Monroe County United Ministries, 2010).
The National Center for Children in Poverty states in order to increase SES in American “we need an economy that works for all, one that provides workers with sufficient earnings to provide for a family. Specific policy strategies include strengthening the bargaining power of workers, expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit, and increasing the minimum wage and indexing it to inflation. (National Center for Children in Poverty, 2009)
We also need to help workers get the training and education they need to succeed in a changing workforce. Low- and middle-income families alike need relief from the high costs of health insurance and housing. As a nation, we also need to make it possible for adults to be both good workers and good parents, which requires greater workplace flexibility and paid time off. Workers need paid sick time, and parents need time off to tend to a sick child or talk to a child’s teacher. Currently, three in four low-wage workers have no paid sick days. (National Center for Children in Poverty, 2009)
Despite the fact that a child’s earliest years have a profound effect on his or her life trajectory and ultimate ability to succeed, the U.S. remains one of the only industrialized countries that does not provide paid family leave for parents with a new baby. Likewise, child care is largely private in the U.S. individual parents are left to find individual solutions to a problem faced by all working parents. Low- and middle-income families need more help paying for child care and more assistance in identifying reliable, nurturing care for their children, especially infants and toddlers. These are only some of the policies needed to reduce economic hardship, strengthen families, and provide a brighter future for today’s and tomorrow’s children. With the right leadership, a strong national commitment, and good policy, it’s all possible. (National Center for Children in Poverty, 2009)
