America is known as the richest nation in the world.

When one thinks about poverty they tend to think of developing countries. Every American citizen has met someone experiencing hunger, homeless or hopeless but he or she may not have known it. Poverty in the America is very different from the pictures one sees on television of developing countries with undernourished, sick children (Cole, 2005). In America some parents cannot provide nutritional meals for their children and themselves. Many of them are single. Some work very hard. Others do not . The two things these American citizens have in common is that providing food, shelter, clothing and transportation for their children and themselves is a struggle that is part of their everyday lives. Most do not know what to do about it.. Poverty is, the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions ("Poverty," 2011). Childhood is, the period of the human lifespan between infancy and adolescence, extending from ages one to two, to 12 to13 ("Child development," 2011). Do many American children live in poverty? Why? How does living in poverty affect the child? Are there possible solutions that may help? Should America send money to other countries to fight poverty and hunger although some of their own children are hungry and living without? This document will attempt to answer those questions by taking a look at children living in poverty in the United States (America) .

Percent Of American Children in Poverty

Why Are American Children In Poverty

Many families in the United States are experiencing financial difficulties. Homes and jobs are lost daily by the millions. The reason these things are currently
happening is the economy not being stable. America is said to be in a recession A recession makes life tough for everyone. When homes and jobs are lost married families tend to break up and unwed parents tend to split. The result is many parents living single. Many individuals including politicians blame those who are poor. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer of South Carolina said that when the government helps the poor, it is like people feeding stray animals that continually "breed " (Lubrano, 2010., para. 2). Colorado state legislator Spencer Swalm said poor people in single-family homes are "dysfunctional " (Lubrano, 2010., para. 2). Both statements riled some Americans from the Piedmont to the Rockies and underscored a widely held belief: in tough times, people are tough on the poor (Lubrano, 2010., para. 2). Some Americans agree. They believe people live in poverty because they are lazy or just do not care. Contrary to public perception, the parents of impoverished children are not consuming beer while watching soap operas, engaging in what some call "welfare as a way of life." Data reveal that 56% of low-income families have at least one full-time working parent, 28% work part -time, and only 16% do not work, many of

who would be willing to work if employment were available. However, the single most striking variable underlying child poverty is single parenthood, caused by divorce and unwed births (Fellmeth, 2005, para. 4).

How Children Living in Poverty is affected By It

Who is To Blame Blaming the poor will not solve the issue.

Possible Solutions To Correct Poverty Issues For American Children

America needs to educate parents and potential parents on how to take better care of their children and themselves. Many parents work hard but do not earn enough to sustain their needs. Parents who do not have jobs should receive motivation to apply for special government training. Once they complete their training, they should receive assistance in finding gainful employment in order that will help them afford what their familys basic needs and a few extras. Parents not working but can, must receive counseling to find employment, attend school or start a business to take care of themselves.

The United States the land of opportunity, the richest nation. When one considers hunger, they should not have to include the children of America in that group. Though hunger is a part of many American children lives, it should not be. The United States is a country that was developed many years ago. Somehow America is dropping the ball, concerning protecting the rights of their smallest citizens: the children. Every human needs shelter food and clothing. It should not be a struggle to obtain something needed on a daily basis. Poverty is lack ("Poverty," 2011). Over 21% of Americas children live in poverty. Each night many of them go to bed hungry. These children do not choose to live that way. It seems to be what life is dealing to them. Poverty does not only live in developing countries. It also lives in America. No one in the United States, especially a child should have to do without what is needed. It is very important to address this problem so all of Americas children will have a chance to live a normal American life, in the land that is said to be flowing with milk and honey. It is true that developing countries need our help to feed their undernourished, sick children but parents in America that can not provide nutritional meals for their children should be our very Americans first concern. Until the United States is successful with solving most of their poverty issues, especially regarding its children, it can never be successful in solving poverty and hunger issues in developing countries which really need our assistance.

Child development. (2011). In Encyclopedia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/111044/child-development

Fellmeth, R. C. (2005). Child Poverty in the United States . Human Rights: Journal of the Sectionof Individual Rights & Responsibilities, 32(1), . Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?hid=101&sid=96782aa8-dd3a-4467 -bb098da9fc905141%40sessionmgr104&vid=6&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3 QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=f5h&AN=15852037

Lubrano, A. (2010. ). In hard times, Americans blame the poor. Tribune Business News, (), .Retrieved from http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1962395541&Fmt= 3&clientId=2606&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Poverty. (2011). In Encyclopedia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/473136/poverty