Childhood Poverty Essays (639 words) - Poverty,

Childhood Poverty Childhood poverty has been an ongoing problem throughout history. Although America is one of the richest nations, poverty still exists. Poverty not only affects America but it is also a concern in others parts of the world. Although there may seem to be massive amounts of food in the world, there are people that are bound by poverty. Poverty not only constricts the children but every member of that household. It brings about an inadequate amount of monetary resources needed not only for their survival but the survival of their children. In a household of four, with two of those individuals being children, the federal poverty level is $23,550. Among the many nations of the world there are over 16 million children in the United States that live in homes where the incomes are far below the federal poverty level. A household must make at least twice the federal poverty level in order for basic needs to be met Between the years of 2006 and 2010 the childhood poverty level has increased in the state of Florida by thirty-five percent. The number of children in the state of Florida living in poverty has increased by 35 percent between 2006 and 2010. This increase has especially affected African American and Hispanic youth. It has been stated that one out of every four or about 924,000 children in Florida, now live before the federal poverty line. Two-thirds of African American children live in families classified as low-income, meaning they earn less than $44,100 a year for a family of four (Santich, 2012). Poverty puts many children at risk as soon as they are born. Millions of children die every year before they reach the age of five by reasons that could have most often been prevented. The lack of improper nourishment, water and immunizations has been a great cause of death. The results of poverty are devastating. Poverty not only brings about death but it so often robs the childhood of millions of children around the world. These children no longer have the means needed to survive, develop and thrive (unicef, 2005). Poverty brings about inequalities in the opportunities presented to these children. It makes children more vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, violence, discrimination and stigmatization (unicef, 2005). Childhood poverty brings about an experience that shapes every aspect of a childs life. Poverty cannot be limited to just one area but we must understand that there are many dimensions of poverty mortality, morbidity, hunger, sickness, illiteracy, homelessness and powerlessness (unicef, 2005). Safe drinking water, adequate amounts of food to meet body requirements, sanitation facilities, health care, safe housing and education are being deprived from these children due to poverty. Research indicates that poor children are disproportionately exposed to factors that may impair brain development and affect social and emotional development. These risks include environmental toxins, inadequate nutrition, maternal depression, parental substance abuse, trauma and abuse, violent crime, divorce, low-quality child care, and decreased cognitive stimulation (stemming in part from exposure to a more restricted vocabulary as infants), (National Center for Children in Poverty). The high rates of poverty not only affect individual families but it brings about severe cost to society. Due to the effects of poverty on society it has brought about social problems that have become more difficult to solve. Our nation has been ranked as one of the highest nations in childhood poverty. Poverty still exists, but why is it in America? Within the last six years the wealth of America has grown by 60 percent which brings us to a striking $30 trillion but yet we also have grown by 60 percent in the number of homeless children. Why are we so blinded and calloused to the fact that poverty is detrimental and it needs to be dealt with.