Posts

As a student of economics, I am deeply concerned with the issue of childhood poverty. It is truly a growing problem in the world, and after doing some research, I have realized exactly how severe the situation is. I initially got interested in this issue after participating in a “Habitat for Humanity” trip to an extremely impoverished part of Birmingham, Alabama. Seeing as how people didn’t have proper shelter, transportation, or food made me very worried, and since then, I have wanted to spread the word and bring people to action. The topic of childhood poverty is even more concerning. Did you know that according to Global Issues, there are 2.2 billion children in the world, and 1 million of them live in poverty? That’s almost half of the world’s children who are living in poor conditions, with no clean water, no food, and no proper immunizations and shelter! These numbers are extreme and disappointing. According to the same website, in 2003, 10.6 million children died before they reached the age of 5, and 1.5 million die each year from lack of access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation, as well as 2.2 million who die because they are not immunized. Children, especially during their early years, need to be exposed to essential nutrients in order to develop correctly and in a healthy manner. Such nutrients include vitamin A, iron, and iodine, according to World Child Hunger Facts. By being raised in highly poor conditions, it does not seem like these children are getting enough of the important elements they need in order to lead a proper, healthy life, and this is quite unsettling to know.

As you have already learned, the effects of poverty on children are extremely striking. No child deserves to live in a harmful environment as such, with no proper food, water, or medical treatment. These living conditions are alarming and even further disable a child from living a normal life. These children don’t have as many of the same opportunities as children living in middle to high class income, or perhaps even us, regular college students striving for a bright future. In fact,  there are 121 million children out of education, according to Global Issues. Childhood poverty needs to be alleviated as soon as possible because children who live in poverty during their early years may experience negative future achievements. 

Have you ever thought about what kind of effect living in poverty has on young children? Well, studies show that it may be quite a negative one. Two studies, published in scholarly journals, both conclude that children in their early childhood years who live in poverty-like conditions suffer negative outcomes with future achievements. The first study published in “The Future of Children” shows that children who live in poor conditions experience weaker cognitive outcomes as well as repetition of school, high school dropout, and being expelled from school! The second study, published by the American Sociological Association, shows a similar conclusion, suggesting that family economic conditions during a child’s early years have the greatest impact on achievement rather than poverty during adolescence, for example.

Let’s alleviate childhood poverty, so that children living in poor conditions all around the world can no longer suffer!

Let’s alleviate childhood poverty, so that children living in poverty can have equal opportunities and a fair chance at a bright future!

Are you a college student looking for an exceptional resume builder? Here’s how YOU can help:

• The UNICEF organization does a wonderful job in globally participating to provide children living in poverty with clean drinking water, immunizations, and essential food items. According to their very informational website, they work in over 190 countries to help all children reach their full potential. They also strive to provide access to quality education for all children! Watch this inspirational short video about UNICEF featuring singer Katy Perry:

“How Much Does Childhood Poverty Affect the Life Chances of Children?” Greg J. Duncan, W. Jean Yeung, Jeanne Brooks-Gunn and Judith R. Smith. American Sociological Review , Vol. 63, No. 3 (Jun., 1998) , pp. 406-423. < http://www.jstor.org/stable/2657556 >.

“Poverty Facts and Stats.” Global Issues. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. < http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats >.

“Providing Help for Children.” UNICEF. 06 Apr. 2014 <http://www.unicefusa.org/work/>.

“The Effects of Poverty on Children”.  Jeanne Brooks-Gunn and Greg J. Duncan. The Future of Children , Vol. 7, No. 2, Children and Poverty (Summer – Autumn, 1997) , pp. 55-71. < http://www.jstor.org/stable/1602387 >.

“UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Katy Perry – “Unconditionally”” YouTube. 03 Dec. 2013. YouTube. 06 Apr. 2014 < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Azma-bPeD7o >.

“World Child Hunger Facts.” Hunger Notes. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. < http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/child_hunger_facts.htm >.