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Natalia Gomez
Ms. Gardner
English 10
28 April 2014
Child Poverty: Born into it
Not only is America facing economical crisis, but fifty percent of the worlds population
is facing poverty. As it spreads through a town, state and the world, poverty continues to affect
several families daily placing them in our lowest rank in society. According to the United
Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), there are 1.02 billion hungry people in the
world. Lacking the basic needs of food, shelter and money places several people, teens, adults,
and elderly to remain poor in several communities. Poverty is sweeping through the world,
leaving people on welfare, and without homes. Thousands of individuals are deeply affected for
the lack of money, although teens are increasingly affected. Child poverty should not cause
thousand of teens to drop out of school, to have no health insurance, and to develop health issues.
Families fall into great depression, stress, and despair, and recently children are the first
to turn for help. Guardians, parents, and family members sent out their children to work and
serve as helpers at a young age. This may seem as a completely acceptable problem solver to
help maintain a family and keep them away from any dangers. Many would dispute that family is
first and that each individual is to help one another without discussion. In the article, Bolivia:
Dont lower age for child labor, Becker points out , "Poor families often send their children to
work out of desperation, but these children miss out on schooling and are more likely to end up
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in a lifetime of low-wage work." Recently the Bolivian government was proposed to accept
workers under the age of fourteen, although this is seen as child labor the legislature is debating a
new children's rights bill. More and more children are affected by the decisions to drop out of
school and to have more time to provide their families. Indeed, many support child labor, but
knowing that once these children are able to gain an education they will serve themselves and
others with more help and support.
. In the article, "Not everyone can lean in" by Gaby Hinsliff, she states that the idea
of character education is the key to success which is now generating serious political buzz, while
the idea of schools building character is relatively revolutionary in the US, here [Great Britain.
Poverty too often goes with powerlessness, which could knock the 'zest' and 'gratitude'--two key
values in one US character programme--out of anyone." As Gaby explained, education plays a
major role in today's generation; therefore, why are students choosing to drop these educational
opportunities? Several teens are let in by pressure and the need to fulfill responsibility; therefore,
these children are being faced with crises at a young age, these actions interfere with their
education and future opportunities. According to the article The Cost of Child Poverty: 500
Billion a Year, the United States has the second-highest child poverty rate among the world's
richest 35 nations, and the cost in economic and educational outcomes is half a trillion dollars a
year. Valerie Strauss indicates, The economy is paying about 5 billion dollars a year to maintain
the American children in need, while also stating that 40% of children living in poverty aren't
prepared for primary school. Because of this high percentage most children in poverty that
reach the end of fourth grade worldwide are already 2 years behind in grade level. To conclude, a
majority of teen are dropping their educational opportunities to support their families and
economical problems.
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Throughout the years children in poverty have been majorly impacted by this worldwide
crisis that is affecting the health of children who are daily exposed to sickness and injury. In the
article For People in the Gap, Health Insurance Exchange Won't Help, Crystal Eoff describes
the difficulties of not having health insurance, being uninsured is scary," Eoff said. "I was
raised in a house where you always had car insurance, you always had health insurance."
Although this twenty nine year old woman has no children she experiences the difficulties of not
being able to afford a well paid job for health insurance. Now, imagine a family with children
suffering from poverty and just think about the children who are exposed to diseases, injuries,
medical or dental pain and have no health insurance. Not only is poverty affecting the critical
stage of losing a home, but the privilege of having medical care required for jobs and school. All
in all, poverty is placing a major impact on children for the lack of health insurance.
Furthermore, research shows that poverty is affecting children by adding stress and
behavioral issues. In the article, The effect of poverty on child development and educational
outcomes, Rita Paul-Sen Gupta states that, infant mortality is the most basic indicator of social
health and well being, given its sensitivity not only to levels of wealth but also to its relative
distribution. In addition, because of the dramatic low birth rates these recent years, many
children tend to suffer from medical disease, asthma and child obesity. Obviously, this amount of
stress and responsibility is not good for a child to face at a young point in their childhood.
Several teens are affected by stress and depression that lead to having an unhealthy lifestyle,
especially when they cant afford a healthy check up. The latest numbers out of a big new
national survey states that almost one in four American children are now living in poverty. As a
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result, children are deeply affected by poverty by entering depressions that are triggering several
sicknesses throughout their child development.
Child poverty should not have thousand of teens dropping out of school and
having them suffer from health issues. Poverty is not only taking away children rights of
achieving a brighter future, but it's becoming a health situation as well. If the amount of children
suffering poverty continues to increase, innocent children have a greater chance of facing an
unhealthy life with a low education and a low possibility of achieving societys expectations.
Therefore, children shouldnt have to suffer the economical crisis weather it is from, home, the
community, or in general. Take a stand and research online, books, articles about the several
programs that are fighting to help these children in need. There are a variety of volunteer and
educational programs that give the satisfaction of helping out the communities and the future life
of these innocent children suffering from poverty. Worldwide children are facing these
difficulties; therefore take interest and help end child poverty today.







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Works Cited
Furigay, Jane. "Bolivia: Don't Lower Age for Child Labor." Targeted News Service. 24 Jan.
2014: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.
Hinsliff, Gaby. "Not Everyone Can 'Lean In'." The Guardian. 13 Feb. 2014: 32. SIRS Issues
Researcher. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.
P ATRICE L. E NGLE. The Effect of Poverty on Child Development and Educational Outcomes.
N.p.: n.p., n.d. Web.
Strauss, Valerie. "The Cost of Child Poverty: $500 Billion a Year." Washington Post. 25 J
2013: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.
Young, Virginia. "For People in the Gap, Health Insurance Exchange Won't Help." St. Louis
Post-Dispatch. 25 Aug. 2013: A.1. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 07 May. 2014.