Effects Of Poverty On Children Essay

The Effect of Poverty on Children

Poverty is an economic condition in which people lack the income to obtain basic needs, like food, water, clothing, and shelter (“Poverty”). Poverty is an ongoing internationally battle that has yet to have been won according to Scott W. Allard, Associate Professor at the University of Chicago poverty affects more the 1 billion people throughout the world. It could affect anyone regardless, of race, sex, and age; but its effect on children is crucial and could affect them throughout their lives. Children are more vulnerable to poverty because they don’t have a real way to provide for themselves, nor can they gain the economic means to break free from poverty at their age. Poverty is linked to negative effects

According to Dr. Terry Ehiorobo a professor at National-Louis University “In a recent survey of 1,965 students in seventh through twelfth grades, 48 percent reported being harassed in some way” Children in school experience bullying and harassment the most causing them to become socially isolated from other students; these children are outcast for living in poverty and not being able to afford name brand clothing. Schools began to switch to uniforms as an action to prevent children from being bullied about their appearances in school, according to ProCon.org “Proponents say that school uniforms make schools safer for students, create a “level playing field” that reduces socioeconomic disparities, and encourage children to focus on their studies rather than their clothes.” Children in poverty aren’t just bullied emotional but often are physically bullied as

Childhood poverty increased from 20.7 percent in 2009 to 22 percent in 2010 (“American”) at this rate childhood poverty will increase in the future. There are simply not enough programs to help fight childhood poverty; with the economy getting worse and the unemployment rate decreasing childhood poverty is inevitable. Children who are currently living in poverty are likely to continue living in poverty as adults; if the cycle isn’t broken, then it will surely trickle down to the next generation. There must be a major change to fight poverty or else it will only