Assigned Materials: “Effects of Poverty, Hunger and Homelessness on Children and Youth”, “How Do You Define Poverty, Part 1 and Part 2”, and access information on the number of families living in poverty in your county.
Summary of Materials: According to the article titled “Effects of Poverty, Hunger, and Homelessness on Children and Youth” from “American Psychology” (n. d.), it offers comprehensive information about how these conditions significantly impact individuals’ lives.
The problem depicted in the You Tube video “Professors 302, Part 1” (2011) reveals an unequal distribution among different ethnic groups and locations in the United States. In Henry County, Tennessee, the poverty level stands at 17.2% (US Department of Commerce, 2012), with a reported percentage of 10.6% of families affected by poverty according to the Tennessee Economic Council on Women (Rawls, Reynolds & Eubanks, 2010). These statistics shed light on the extensive impact that poverty, hunger, and homelessness have on individuals and their ability to endure across generations.
All agencies need to work together to develop a cohesive approach in tackling this problem and discovering remedies. Poverty has detrimental effects on children across multiple domains such as their physical health, mental wellness, academic potential, and social interactions. These consequences endure as they transition into adulthood and integrate into the community (Driscoll, Nagel, 2012).
Driscoll and Nagel (2012) state that poverty in children increases the chances of stunted growth, iron deficiency, and severe asthma. These negative effects are caused by factors like substandard housing, homelessness, inadequate nutrition and food insecurity, insufficient child care, limited access to healthcare, unsafe neighborhoods, and underfunded schools (American Psychological Association, n.d., p. 2).
According to the American Psychological Association (n.d.), poverty has physical consequences and personal impacts. These include academic underachievement, dropping out of school, abuse and neglect, behavioral and socioemotional issues, as well as developmental delays (p. 2). Parents facing economic strain treat their children differently than those from higher social and economic backgrounds due to constant concerns about basic necessities like food, clothing, and housing. As a result, these parents unintentionally transfer their stress to their children through unsupportive and somewhat disconnected parenting practices (Driscoll & Nagel, 2012).
Severe hunger in school-age children can have a variety of negative effects, as stated by the American Psychological Association (APA). These include homelessness, chronic health conditions, stressful life situations, psychiatric distress, behavioral problems, internalizing behavior (such as depression, anxiety, withdrawal), and poor self-esteem. Despite initiatives like Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) that aim to offer food assistance for those who require it, they do not adequately tackle the ongoing difficulties experienced by individuals living in poverty.
According to a video on YouTube titled “The Professor- Defining Poverty”, the participants in a round table discussion believe that the issue of poverty will continue to grow and expand unless there is a consolidated structured agenda between departments of state and private agencies (Twenty Wise TV-Part 2, 2011).
Hosted by Kennedy-Ted Williams from King College, the discussion on Twenty Wise TV-Part 1, 2011 featured guests Antonio Vasquez from William Wright College and Jessica Nawles and Bessie Alcantabar from the BUILD private organization. The discussion shed light on the issue of poverty’s impact on different races. It was emphasized that Hispanic and black individuals experience higher rates of poverty, leading to societal degradation and stigma (Twenty Wise TV-Part 1, 2011).
One key concern raised during the discussion was that even if someone manages to overcome poverty statistically, they still carry the attached stigma. In response to this issue, BUILD has taken proactive steps towards enhancing individuals’ self-perception (Twenty Wise TV-Part 2, 2011). The goal is to break the cycle of poverty. All four guests concur that a combination of government programs and private initiatives is necessary to address various aspects related to poverty such as hunger, homelessness, and lack of education (Twenty Wise TV-Part 2, 2011).
From a personal standpoint, it becomes evident that poverty has evolved and acquired a new perception in terms of its manifestation.The impact of the growing disparity between the rich and the poor goes beyond generations living below the poverty level, now affecting individuals in the middle class as well. To address its ongoing effects, innovative approaches are needed.
The prevalence of hunger among our youth is distressing, particularly given that we reside in one of the most affluent countries worldwide. It is worrisome to realize that despite being the primary food provider for the world, our children are experiencing food shortages. Despite our nation’s reputation for offering assistance during times of crisis, we are currently facing issues of hunger and homelessness among our own youth. This situation poses a dire predicament for future generations.
According to the American Psychological Association (n. d., p1), statistics reveal that the U. S. poverty rates increased to 15. 1 percent (46. 2 million) in 2010, marking the highest level since 1993. This means that over 15% of the American population is living in poverty, which entails numerous negative effects and circumstances.
Considering this concept and our geographical location, I started pondering the number of students facing poverty in each classroom. While the programs implemented to provide free or reduced breakfast and lunches for eligible students are commendable, it raises concerns about their food security during other times of the day.
Do the parents refuse government assistance out of pride or do they fail to meet the requirements? Are they regularly experiencing food insecurity? Do they have access to a safe and warm living environment? Are they feeling isolated due to hunger affecting their motivation to learn or lacking necessary nutrients for proper brain development? It is acknowledged that these situations affect a child’s learning ability. How can impoverished children enhance their circumstances without adequate nourishment, support, and quality education?
Children facing poverty undergo social interaction challenges from childhood to adulthood, both in the classroom and when interacting with authority figures. These difficulties stem from not having stable and nurturing homes, which increases the likelihood of developing behavioral and emotional issues. The inability to establish connections with society and form relationships can lead to anger, aggression, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or other emotional and behavioral problems. As a result, individuals experiencing these obstacles often display antisocial behavior as they grow older.
People in poverty depend on support systems to break free from their situations. These systems involve obtaining education, contributing positively to society, and building a strong sense of self-worth. While the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is vital, it may not be enough if recipients are unaware of how to maximize resources through cooking and preserving food. Moreover, without affordable housing provided by the government for low-income individuals, homelessness becomes a possible issue for those living in poverty.
Effective poverty alleviation and support for individuals requires collaboration between government and charitable agencies. This collaboration is crucial for addressing poverty effectively and providing necessary assistance, such as access to education which can help people escape poverty. Recognizing the detrimental effects of poverty on children’s emotional, physical, and psychological well-being is an ongoing challenge. However, there have been successful initiatives in areas with high rates of poverty and unemployment.
According to research, it is important to obtain a high school diploma for success in various aspects of life, such as further education, job opportunities, and overall health and wellbeing (Kormo, Flay, & Biglan, 2011, p. 112).
Breaking the cycle of poverty can be extremely challenging, especially when it has been deeply ingrained across generations. The connection between educational achievement and social, psychological, behavioral, and physical health highlights the need for comprehensive efforts to prevent the negative effects of poverty (Kormo et al., 201l,p.12).
An example of such an effort is the Harlem Children’s Zone project in New York City’s Harlem area. This successful project has expanded from a few city blocks to over 100 city blocks today. The HCZ has implemented various programs and strategies including parenting classes for expectant and new parents, pre-kindergarten programs , charter schools , afterschool programs , an office to assist students in college applications transitions , employment technology center as well as organization tenant block associations .
The “Promise Neighborhoods Research Consortium” program implemented diverse strategies within charter schools to support children’s success. These strategies encompassed hiring high-quality teachers who had demonstrated academic achievement, as measured by standardized test scores. Both teachers and students were incentivized with financial rewards and educational trips. Additionally, social workers were available for support, while extended school days, afterschool tutoring, and year-round schooling ensured abundant learning opportunities. The schools even provided medical services and a nutritious food program. This comprehensive approach effectively addressed the challenges associated with poverty, including its emotional, behavioral, and psychological issues through networking, technology, measurement, and intervention.
Research has indicated that children living in poverty encounter physical, emotional, and developmental risks. Those who experience poverty during their early years tend to exhibit lower intelligence test scores compared to their peers who do not face poverty. Intelligence is influenced by various aspects of poverty that impact a child’s life. However,”New Poverty” refers to the distinctive characteristic of economic growth coinciding with an increase in inequality and poverty (Ozkan, 2010,p.173).
The definition of poverty has broadened to include more than just a lack of income, hunger, malnutrition, illness, limited education and basic services, and increased mortality from disease. It now encompasses higher rates of homelessness and inadequate housing, unsafe environments, social discrimination, and exclusion. Furthermore, while the general population enjoys access to opportunities for participation in decision-making processes as well as civil, social, and cultural life; individuals classified as the “new poor” are denied these same opportunities (Ozkan, 2010, p. 173).
The negative effects of exclusion and discrimination on a child’s education have an impact on both their physical and mental development. These factors hinder the child’s ability to interact with peers on an equal level, which in turn affects their growth and confidence. It is essential to establish an environment that promotes thriving and development. “Childhood poverty has various detrimental effects on health, social well-being, and psychological state, placing financial and emotional burdens on individuals, families, and communities.”
According to Davies, Crothers, and Hanna (2010), poverty has a significant negative impact on children, especially during their early years (p. 20). Although there are existing programs aimed at reducing the suffering caused by child poverty, it is essential for both private and governmental organizations to work together in order to implement effective strategies that can bring about positive change for those who are less fortunate. The urgent issue of losing numerous children to poverty and its harmful consequences requires immediate attention (American Psychological Association, n.d.; Driscoll & Nagel, 2012).
Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall. Retrieved from http://www. education. com/reference/article/poverty-children-parents/. Kormo, K. , Flay, B. & Biglan, A. (2011). Creating nurturing environments: A science-based framework for promoting child health and development within high-poverty neighborhoods. Clinical Child & Psychology Review. 14,111-134. DOI 10. 1007/s10567-011-0095-2 Ozkan,Y. , Purutcuoglu,E. , Hablemitoglu, S. (2010) Interpersonal impact of the poverty on children.
