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CHILDHOOD POVERTY

Community Problem Report

The University of Texas at El Paso
RWS 1301
April 2, 2016
Devan Ortega

CHILDHOOD POVERTY
Abstract

Childhood poverty has become an issue in the United States and has changed the lives of
many children as well as families. We see many commercials on TV about poverty yet, many
overlook the situation as well as how it truly effects ones life as well as the people around them.
There are many shelters, as well as help centers all over the United States that do help children in
poverty. Yet, the shelters need a way to stay up and going and without the shelters the only hope
is government officials. The people who can actually make a change in the lives of children who
struggle or who are going through poverty. If we reach out and try our best maybe the
government could use the money they use for the military and take some of that and donate it to
the shelters or build a home for those in need of it. We can make a difference just by donating
and taking food to those who are in need of it. With the help of everyone and trying our best to
reach out to those in need, we can all make a difference and help the children who really need it.

Keywords: Childhood Poverty, Shelters, Donating, Poverty

CHILDHOOD POVERTY
Introduction
More than half of the children in the Unites States suffer from poverty. The poverty rate
in the United States is 15.1. Although that number seems low it is a big number when taking a
closer look at the people who are in poverty. Poverty does not seem like a big deal to many
people but thats just because you dont truly understand the affect of something until it you
undergo that certain situation. Todays society is to concerned with their own image that they
only care about themselves and while being too busy concerned on themselves they do not see
the problems that some people go through. While the government spends millions on military
equipment and or military needs they miss the current problems that are occurring with children

in poverty. There are many ways to help childhood poverty and with the help of others we can try
to help relieve the children who are suffering from poverty.

The Health Effects of Childhood Poverty

Many studies have been done and most than all find that children who are poverty
undergo a large amount of stress when not being able to have the necessities that are needed to
survive in this world. In one article by Jennifer A. Kali she explains, It has been shown that
poverty in early-life not only affects the immediate childhood period but also has a significant
role in diseases previously thought to be caused by adult behaviors. (2015, pg.41). The studies
also show that the stress is caused by their minds by them thinking they arent like normal kids
due to their living situations and or not being able to afford things that others have. The amount
of stress caused by poverty can actually cause depression among the children as well. Others can
actually gain disorders due to anxiety that is caused by loneliness, depression, and anxiety. The
children can develop many help problems that can later on cause problems along the way. And

CHILDHOOD POVERTY

without insurance or being able to pay for a visit to the doctor they have to go through that stress
everyday and overcome it themselves. Overall, the health effects on childhood poverty have
many different paths that they could fall down into and could later cause many more problems.

Figure 1
Education Issues
Many children in poverty have a harder time learning than those who are wealthy. Studies
have shown that children in poverty do not get the extra help that those who are in the middle
class. In The Article Family Matters its explains, Poor children begin school academically and
behaviorally well behind their more affluent peers and, if anything, lose ground during their
school years. (2013, pg.1)
Due to the area of the school, for example, some students may live in an area where the school is
not as wealthy and cannot get teachers who are more experienced. As well as schools were their
might be more violent behavior that could cause them to follow that type of behavior. Which
could then take their focus on school away. The other issue could be not having transportation to
school. Although there are buses not all buses go to the location where the student lives
especially if they are in poverty, they have no home which would be the main issue. The children
also dont have the proper material or the money to obtain the materials needed for school. As

CHILDHOOD POVERTY

well as having clean clothing to go to school or even being able to afford the clothing for school.
Its also difficult for children in poverty to go to school because of bullies that may make fun of
them for being in poverty. Which could then cause them to ditch class and not want to be
attending school. Overall, there are many issues with children who are in poverty that are hidden
because people dont take the time to look around at the problems occurring in the United States.

Figure 2

Family Stress Caused by Poverty

Families in poverty go through a lot, with that being said many are torn apart due
to anger, depression, and anxiety. Due to the situation that a family may be in it causes emotional
distress which then causes emotional outbursts on other family members. Or the children may
have anger towards the parent because other kids may tease them and they may feel its the
parents fault. While the parent may be completely stressed and leave their children behind. When
that happens that also creates anxiety for the children who are left behind and can cause
depression as well. Overall, the emotional stress can cause many issues among families and
distant the families as well.
Government Help

CHILDHOOD POVERTY
There happens to be hope in helping the poor and that help could be the
government. Although the government offers food stamps, Wic, social security, and Medicaid it

doesnt completely help the poor. Due to the fact that you have to qualify for these programs and
if you dont then there is really no help from the government. The way to help childhood poverty
would be in taking action by writing to government officials by telling them rising issues in
childhood poverty as well as asking for consideration in using money from military fund to help
fund the children instead. Overall, that would be the people who could make a huge difference in
childhood poverty.
Conclusion
Therefore, we see that poverty can cause a domino effect upon the lives of many
children as well as their families. And in todays society nothing is being done in trying to help
the poor. The only thing people do is look down upon those who can not afford nice things and
are automatically labeled as poor. We also see that the government could be a huge help in
assisting the children in poverty and by giving them a helping hand as well. In this we could help
alleviate childhood poverty. And help by reducing childhood poverty rates in the process.
Hopefully we can help these children who are in need of assistance and can help relieve the
emotional stress that they go through.

CHILDHOOD POVERTY
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