Where Do I Begin?...

Introduction

Not really knowing where to start, I logged onto the internet and began my research on poverty. My purpose for writing my first blog for my social welfare class was initially to explore poverty as a whole, find statistics, common arguments, myths, and stereotypes, and delve into the unknown. Little did I know that I would find a little girl’s powerful and heart wrenching story (written by Andrea Elliot) that would shift my entire blog post to exploring children living in poverty?  The purpose of this blog is to examine Dasani's story, children and poverty as a whole, the affects of poverty on children, and why it is important to address.  

Who is the Girl in the Shadows?

"She wakes to the sound of breathing.  The smaller children lie tangled beside her, their chests rising and falling under winter coats and wool blankets.  A few feet away, their mother and father sleep near the mop bucket they use as a toilet.  Two other children share a mattress by the rotting wall where the mice live, opposite the baby, whose crib is warmed by a hair dryer perched on a milk crate."

Dasani is an 11-year old girl, who lives in New York with her family of nine. They are homeless and stay at the Auburn Family Residence, which is city-run shelter for the homeless. Dasani is among 280 children at the shelter. Her mother and father are unemployed, have a history of arrests, and are battling drug addiction. She attends dance classes a few times a week. She attends school but often loses focuses due to the emptiness of her stomach.  Despite her hunger, family life, and uncertainty of her future, she is still able to keep up with her school work without even trying. She believes that the sky is the limit and she has endless possibilities. She is also adamant about not living the life of drugs and poverty that her parents have lived and are living now.

What About Children and Poverty?

Sadly, Dasani’s story is not unique. Some 46 million Americans live in poverty (U.S. Census Bureau, 2011). It is 3rd highest poverty rate among developed nations, ahead of Turkey and Mexico.   More than 16 million children live in the United States.  22% of those children live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level.  That's roughly one in five American children that are now living in poverty, giving the United States the highest child poverty rate of any developed nation except for Romania.  According to the National Center For Children in Poverty, on average families need an income of about twice the level to cover basic expenses.  Using this standard, 45% of children live in low-income families.

How Does Poverty Affect Children?

Many families that are living in poverty cannot afford a lot of healthy foods.  Poor diets results in vitamin deficiencies, which can cause long-lasting neurological deficits when untreated.  Many families living in poverty may also stay or live in a place that had lead-based paint.  Lead poisoning, also common in children living in poverty, can adversely impact brain function. Asthma, also much more prevalent in the low-income population, can also interfere with learning. Many poor children must also cope with environmental stresses that impact their schooling. Homeless students face the greatest challenges for they lack the basic securities that allow for them to concentrate on their studies during and after the school day. Homeless children are more likely than other children to be held back a grade.

Why is it important?

Individuals, especially children, need to know that they are more than their poverty.  Young children are unable to provide for themselves so they must depend on their families to do so. The rise in child poverty, therefore, reflects the rise in the inequality of their parents’ earnings.  I think one way to combat child poverty is to start with policy.


Another great video on children and poverty: 

Poor Kids of America