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Robert Reynolds

Instructor: Malcom Campbell

UWRT 1104

April 4, 2018

They are the Future: The Lasting Effects of Child Poverty in the United States

EverydayEvery day in the United States, and all around the worldin most of our larger

cities, and even some small towns, people encounter the sobering situation that often stays with

them for the rest of their day. The scene of a child with an outstretched hand, begging for money,

for food, for clothes, just for help so they and their family can afford to live. Often these children

only receive as little as a glance and sometimes less. Sometimes they get nothing. After this

encounter a person often claims to feel sympathy, maybe exchange pouty faces, but later go on

as if it wasn’t ever there. This is used as a corresponding situation that shows for the rest of the

nation., almost like a metaphor for the fact that, Poverty has long been a standing issue in all

parts of the world. Particularly in the United States, poverty has been a rising problem that is

losing the little spotlight it has gotten. often brushed off in our everyday lives and is losing the

little spotlight it has gotten. We say that we care and… it does weigh on some of us, but is it

really at the top of our list? On our list at all? In this essay, I will provide some reasons in which

that sympathy should be turned to empathy.

Poverty is hard, this is something that everyone knows this. Imagine how it could

be for a child who is just trying to make it in this country and survive under the extreme

conditions of poverty. In this paper I will explore the conditions and statistics of children in
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poverty in the united states and the family dynamics it can bring. I will then explore the effects

of this poverty and how it can last throughout the lives of these children.

This is a well-known fact that poverty has been a rising issue in the U.S. that the nation Formatted: Indent: First line: 0.5"

has decided to ignore. According to an article by Angus Deaton in the New York Times and to the

World Bank “769 Million people lived on less than $1.90 a day in 2013, Of these, 3.2 Million

live in the United States,” and “there are 5.3 million Americans who are absolutely poor by

global standards (Deaton).” This level of poverty is something that fluctuateshas seemed to

continuously fluctuate throughout the years of course, and it is not always so bad. In a study by

the U.S. Census Bureau, numbers decreased continuously from 2014 to 2016, in 2016 “there

were 40.6 Million people in poverty, 2.5 million people less than 2015, and 6.0 million less than

2014 (Semega).” While this may be a good sign. ItsIt’s still a problem with very high numbers.

Child Poverty is a fast-growing part of the larger issue at hand. According to Suzanne

McCartney and The United States Census Bureau, and the American Community Survey (ACS)

as of 2010, “More than one in five children in the Uunited Sstates lived in poverty,” and “In

2010, the ACS child poverty rate (21.6 Percent) is the highest since the survey began in 2001,”

(McCartney). The Census shows from 2009 to 2010, “The number and percent of children

increased in 27 states,” and that “In no state did the number or percent of children in poverty

decrease” (McCartney).

With growing problems like this it is almost impossible to say that this is not something

that needs more attention.

This stress may also result in substance use. It is a well-known fact in the world of

healthcare that poverty may be a prominent cause of the increased numbers of substance users in
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the Uunited Sstates. A study conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Center for

Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration (SAMHSA) it was found that the largest percentages of people that experienced

drug dependency and abuse at age 12 or older came from areas with higher poverty statuses; the

same was found when observing the levels of alcohol abuse and dependency, an estimated 15

million adults over the age of 18 had admitted to heavy alcohol abuse (SAMHSA). This may be

a contributor to the violence and abuse that children are receiving as well.

There is a strong correlation between the levels of poverty from county to county, and the

occurrences of child abuse. The chances of abuse or neglect for children who live with families

with incomes of less than $15,000 per year is 22 times more likely than children who live with

families with higher incomes (Nolte). Studies show that between 2005 and 2006 up to 3 million

adolescents that were under the age of 18 had experienced physical and sexual abuse at some

point in their lives; some even show that not only poverty, but income inequality and regular

financial issues can increase occurrences of child abuse. A study of child admissions to 38

hospitals between 2000-2009, showed a much significant correlation between the number of

admissions related to child and the level of foreclosures on mortgages in the area (Eckenrode).

In my research I was faced with the fact that this abuse may sometimes be much more

serious than some would expect, and often a matter of life and death. where cases become so

severe that children may literally be beaten to death by parents. In fact, a study by Caitlin A.

Farrell, a specialist in Emergency Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital, and the American Formatted: Font: Italic
Formatted: Font: Italic
Academy of Pediatrics, shows that “counties with the highest poverty concentration >3 times the

rate of child abuse fatalities than counties with the lowest poverty concentration,” (Farrell). As

the previous information states, this abuse does become very severe in cases, resulting in high
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numbers of actual child fatalities due to child abuse. These numbers continue to rise and are

higher than some may think. Farrell also speaks on this in her study, she found that, stating that,

“From the year 1999 to 2014, around 11,149 children 0-4 years old died of child abuse between

the years of 1999 and 2014. About 45% (5053) of the cases happened before the child was were

less than one 1 year old,” (Farrell).

A child’s cognitive and intellectual development may sometimes be affected by the

environment they are situated in. When compared together, children who are considered poor by

economic standards show slower development in educational systems than children who are

considered middle or upper class in economic standards, also, studies tell that poverty at an early

age has caused a greater affecteffect on child development and educational achievement; areas

that are considered poverty stricken show that graduation rates fall to 50% for children who start

high school in these environments, while that number increases with children who live with

families who are considered to be financially stable. This shows how a child living inI poverty

can have struggles in school because of their situation (Wood). The largest and most prominent

finding is that children above the poverty line score much better than children below the poverty

line with some tests coming out with a difference greater than ten percentile points (Welsh). This

is shown in other studies as well. In a study found in the Children and Youth Services Review by Formatted: Font: Italic

Sanders Korenman, it was found that children in the lowest 10th percentile of U.S.

Socioeconomic standards showed IQ test differentials 10 to 15 points lower than the results of

children raised in higher income families. These children also showed 40% lower cognitive test

scores (Korenman).

Child Poverty Children who experienced poverty and maltreatment in their early

childhood may often need assistance in school as they grow into their intellectual selves. This is
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shown in a recent study conducted in association with the CDC, by Xiangming Fang. In this

study fang showed that children who had been in these situations at some point needed special

education assistance. 24.2 % required special assistance, as compared to around 13% of children

who had grown up without maltreatment or poverty (Fang)

It is estimated that a child born into poverty will stay in that certain spell of poverty for

an average of 8 years. In these first 8 years a lot can be affected. From birth and on, poverty may

even create problems with the actual physical health of the child. These issues in medical health

may come from stress, abuse, or malnutrition. Studies show that thoseThere is a prevalent

amount of cases in which a mother living in poverty becomes pregnant and eventually have a

child that is born prematurely, much earlier than the usual birth comes along. These children

often have a very low birthweight and come into the world much smaller in length as well

(Korenman). Studies also show that these children who live in families below the poverty line

have a highly increased risk of high blood pressure and other medical problems that are often

related to stress., in Aa recent study showed that parents of children that come from poor families

are more likely to describe their child’s physical health as “fair” or “poor”, rather than explain it

as “excellent” as the parent of a child in a middle or upper class family may. Also, research has

shown a direct link between levels of poverty to the number of hospital visits, malnutrition,

disability days and death rates, although, the medical issues do not always come from neglect,

abuse or malnutrition; they also can come from environmental issues like the amount of lead in

the water in impoverished areas (Wood). In other studies, it was found that unhealthy children

are likely to live with a single mother who is not employed and are more likely to be enrolled in

Medicaid (Welsh).
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The effects may often go much deeper than just the surface, sometimes they may turn

into long term psychological effects. Poverty in some cases may have long term psychosocial

effects on people who experience the situations, particularly those who experience it at an early

age. These effects may include PTSD, Depression, ADHD, Anxiety and Schizophrenia, often it

is not the actual situation of poverty itself, but the stigma that surrounds it that leaves children

feeling singled out, depressed and often show signs of lowered self-esteem; this stigma that

surrounds poverty can lead to bullying, which can result in anxiety, stress, and often antisocial

behaviors (Ayre).

Often, Child Poverty and Maltreatment can begin a cycle not only for the

children, but for the parents or guardians as well. As these issues rise in physical, mental social

health, the more money is required for the treatments in the aftermath of maltreatment. In his

study done in association with the CDC and the National Center for Injury Prevention and

Control, Xiangming Fang shows that, the average cost of care for short term medical

requirements of a child who has experienced abuse or maltreatment was around $32,648 in 2010,

and that is just the short term cost of medical treatment for physical needs of children aged 6

years to 17 years old (Fang). Because prices in health care begin to rise as new treatments and

technology is developed, for people who do not have health insurance or Medicaid this may

possibly keep someone stuck in the cycle and poverty may develop into a life or death situation.

In conclusion, the cycle of poverty is still a strong and standing issue. The children in the

U.S. that are living in these conditions show risk of significantly lower levels in rates of

cognitive development, physical development and overall health, and increased risk of

developing some sort of mental, or emotional disorders throughout their life span. This is a

lasting issue in their lives because the cycle of poverty creates restrictions from treatment.
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So, what can be done to help these children who go through all of this to make life a little Formatted: Indent: First line: 0.5"

better for them? ItI refuse to propose that a cure for poverty to come overnight and sweep these

children off the streets, however, it can all start with a smile, being a friend of these children,

giving a little extra money to those you meet with outstretched hands. ItVolunteering at a local

shelter and maybe proposing to start up innovative programs just for children living in conditions

of poverty. This issue can also go further up the scale into the realm of politics as well, paying

close attention to politicians and policies that pertain to this issue. Proposing change. Reporting

any abuse to child protective services may changecould possibly turn the child’s life and turn itof

a child around indefinitely. We often pass by, because we don’t think there is anything we can

really do. There is always something to be done. This research shows that there are direct links

between poverty, child abuse, maltreatment and substance abuse.

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Works Cited Formatted: Centered, Indent: Left: 0", First line: 0"

Ayre, David. “Poor Mental Health: Links Between Child Poverty and Mental Health Problems.” Formatted: Font: Times New Roman
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Https://Www.Childrenssociety.org.uk, The Children’s Society, Mar. 2016,
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www.childrenssociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/poor_mental_health_report.pdf. Accessed Mar. Formatted: Font: Times New Roman, Italic

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2018 Formatted: Font: Times New Roman

Deaton, Angus. "The U.S. Can No Longer Hide from Its Deep Poverty Problem." The New York Times.

The New York Times, January 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/24/opinion/poverty-

united-states.html. Accessed. March 2018.

Eckenrode, PhD, John. "Income Inequality and Child Maltreatment in the United States." AAP News &

Journals Gateway. AAP Publications, February 2014. Accessed March 2018.

Fang, Xiangming, “The economic burden of child maltreatment in the United States and implications for

prevention." Published, February 2012 Child abuse & neglect 36.2 (2012): 156-165. Accessed,

April 2018

Farrell, Caitlin A., "Community poverty and child abuse fatalities in the United States." Pediatrics

Issued May 2016. Accessed, April,April 2018 Formatted: Font: Times New Roman, Font color: Auto

Korenman, Sanders, Jane E. Miller, John E. Sjaastad. "Long-term poverty and child development in the

United States: Results from the NLSY." Published, 1995 Children and youth services review

17.1-2 (1995): 127-155. Accessed April 2018

McCartney, Suzanne. “Child Poverty in the United States 2009 and 2010: Selected Race Groups and

Hispanic Origin” .”. Issued, November 2011. United States Census Bureau Accessed April

2018.
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Deaton,Angus."TheU.S.CanNoLongerHidefromItsDeepPovertyProblem."TheNewYorkTimes.TheNewYorkTimes,January2018.Accessed.March2018h.tps:/www.nytimes.com/2018/01/24/opinion/poverty-united-states.html.

https://familyforwardmo.org/wp-content/uploads/FamilyForward-2016-2017-Annual-Report.pdf

Accessed April 2018.

Semega, Jessica L., "Income and poverty in the United States: 2016.” United States Census Bureau

Published September 2017. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2017/demo/p60-

259.html Accessed, May 2018. Formatted: Font: Times New Roman

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Behavioral Health Barometer: United

States, 2015. HHS Publication No. SMA–16–Baro–2015: Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Services Administration, Published, 2015 Accessed April 2018.