EFFECT OF FOOD INSECURITY , CHILD

POVERTY , HUMAN INSECURITY ON

ACADEMIC POTENTIAL OF CHILDREN.

INTRODUCTION

 WHAT IS POVERTY ?

It is a state of being poor where people not have enough money to meet there basic needs
including food , cloth and shelter.

Poverty is a state or condition in which a person or community lacks the financial resources
and essentials for a minimum standard of living. Poverty-stricken people and families might
go without proper housing, clean water, healthy food, and medical attention. Poverty is an
individual concern as well as a broader social problem.
22% of the total population in India (around 270 crores) live in poverty.

 CAUSES OF POVERTY--
There are various factors that are responsible for poverty :-
The major causes are
i. Unemployment,
ii. Illiteracy,
iii. Increasing population,
iv. Lack of proper education and training,
 v. Natural Disasters,
vi. Low income,
…and many more.

As people are not able to find work for themselves, they are not able to earn their
livelihood. Due to this, they lack access to basic education, health care, drinking water and
sanitation. They are unable to feed their families and children. The other causes of poverty
include war, natural disasters, political instability, etc.
For example, World War II impacted many countries and they had to suffer from poverty for
a long time. It took a lot of effort for such countries to recover their normal state.

 HOW POVERTY IS MEASURED IN INDIA :-

The minimum expenditure or income required to purchase a basket of goods and services
necessary to satisfy basic human needs is called the Poverty Line.
Poverty can be measured in terms of the number of people living below this line. It is
measured by the State Governments and information is provided by Below Poverty Line
(BPL) censuses.
Different places have different understandings of poverty at different times. For example, a
poor person in the USA could be one who doesn’t own a car. But in India, having a car is a
luxury only some can dream of. Thus, measuring several aspects of one’s nutrition and income
determines poverty in India.

Therefore, in India, an urban dweller should have at least 2100 calories and a rural dweller, at
least 2400 calories per day. There is a difference, as the physical work done in rural areas is
more energy consuming than in urban areas.

Additionally, earning a minimum of 32 rupees in urban areas and 26 rupees in rural areas, per
day, determines the “Below Poverty Line” criteria. The minimum income is higher in urban
areas, as it is more costly to live in towns than villages.

There is also an international standard by The World Bank, where people are living in poverty
if they earn less than $1.90 (almost 140 rupees) per day! This is a much higher standard than
that of India’s way of measurement.

 POVERTY RATIO :-

Poverty headcount ratio at $5.50 a day is the percentage of the population living on less
than $5.50 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates,
poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in
earlier editions.

 India poverty rate for 2019 was 83.80%, a 1.2% increase from 2018.
 India poverty rate for 2018 was 82.60%, a 2.7% decline from 2017.
 India poverty rate for 2017 was 85.30%, a 3.4% decline from 2016.
  India poverty rate for 2016 was 88.70%, a 0.2% decline from 2015.

According to the estimates, poverty declined at an average rate of 0.74 percentage points
per year between 1993-94 and 2004-05, and at 2.18 percentage points per year between
2004-05 and 2011-12.

National poverty estimates (% below poverty line) (1993 - 2012)

Year Rural Urban Total

1993 – 94 50.1 31.8 45.3

2004 – 05 41.8 25.7 37.2

2009 – 10 33.8 20.9 29.8

2011 – 12 25.7 13.7 21.9

 EFFECT OF POVERTY ON CHILDREN :-

Poverty affects children each and every moment of their lives. Its effects build and build,
intensifying the damage and destruction as the child grows older.
Once the deprivation of poverty has grabbed hold, it’s difficult to free a child. Successful
interventions to save children approach the problem of poverty holistically, which is why our
child development model addresses the physical, social, emotional, economic and spiritual
needs of children living in extreme poverty.

 Poverty stunts physical growth and development.

 Poverty hinders social and emotional development.
 Poverty shortens life expectancy.
 Poverty inflates infant and child mortality rates.
 Poverty increases the likelihood a child will have a chronic health condition.
 Poverty ravages children with preventable diseases.
 Poverty creates, perpetuates and widens achievement gaps.
 Poverty increases parent stress and impairs parenting practices.
 Poverty introduce hunger, neglect, insecurity and instability into children's lives.
 Poverty increases the violence children hunger experience and witness.

 HOW DOES POVERTY AFFECT A CHILD'S

DEVELOPMENT?

Inequality starts at birth, but poverty attacks and affects children before they’re even born.

Starting in the womb, issues such as maternal malnutrition and disease often compromise
an infant’s ability to survive. Premature birth, which significantly diminishes a child’s chance
of survival for children in low- and middle-income countries, is common to the global poor
with about 10 percent of babies born prematurely each year.
Assuming a child survives the birth experience, his or her need to fight for life continues. In
2018, an estimated 2.5 million children died in their first month of life. 2 That’s
approximately 7,000 babies every day. Most of them died in their first week of life; 1 million
died on their first day, and another 1 million died within the next six days.

Growing up in poverty increases the physical and emotional stress in a child’s life. Lack of
economic resources within a family increases a child’s vulnerability to exploitation, including
child labour and Trafficking.

This stress can also prompt negative biological changes in the cardiovascular, immune,
neuroendocrine and cortical systems, which can have long-term implications for learning,
decision-making and overall health and well-being.

Poor children also experience a disproportionate amount of neglect and social deprivation
thanks to poverty. They are less likely to feel valued and loved. They often have lower self-
esteem, less self-confidence, and greater incidences of mental health problems. They feel
unsafe, marginalized, exceedingly vulnerable, and constantly threatened.

Children living in poverty are also more likely to be exposed to environmental toxins and
other hazards, including crime and violence. Consider growing up in a slum without proper
sanitation and clean water, where alcoholism, gang violence and drugs are prevalent. Even if
not directly caught up in any violence, simply witnessing it, especially regularly, can
adversely affect child development.

The likelihood of lifelong health or illness is set in childhood. A healthy diet throughout
childhood and life protects against nutritional imbalances malnutrition and
malnourishment, as well as chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke
and cancer.

 HOW DOES POVERTY AFFECT CHILDREN'S

HEALTH?

A developing body that is given the food and nutrition needed to grow and thrive will
develop a foundation for a sturdy brain architecture and the accompanying range of broad
physical, social, and emotional skills. And optimal nutrition is particularly important in the
first years of life. Without a nutrient-rich diet, children are more likely to die before reaching
age 5. More than five million children died before the age of 5 in 2018, and 45 percent of
those deaths were linked to undernutrition.

Because children growing up in poverty don’t get the food and nutrition they need to
develop properly, tens of millions of children under age 5 are severely wasted (low weight-
for-height) and hundreds of millions are stunted (low height-for-age).

Additionally, poor children are more likely to live with food insecurity, not having reliable
access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food that allows them to remain
healthy and lead an active life.

 CHILD POVERTY AND MENTAL HEALTH :-

The consequences of not addressing the mental health needs of children in poverty shorten
their life expectancy and impair them as adults, limiting the possibility for them to lead
fulfilling lives.

 Mental health conditions account for 16 percent of the global burden of disease and
injury in children aged 10–19 years.
 Childhood disorders are the second leading cause of disease burden in children aged
10–14 years.
 Nearly 90 percent of the world’s adolescents live in low-or middle-income countries
and more than 90 percent of adolescent suicides are among adolescents living in
those countries.


Childhood and adolescence are crucial times for developing habits important for physical,
emotional and mental well-being. Poverty amplifies the difficulties, challenges, stress, and
trauma directed against babies, young children and adolescents at a time when they are
unequipped or completely unable to handle them, which is why early childhood
interventions, youth development programs, and programs that help provide a stable
environment for children to grow up in are vital.

 WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF POVERTY ON

CHILDREN'S EDUCATION?
When it comes to education, poverty creates and widens achievement gaps. It causes
children to underachieve in school and to have greater difficulty finding employment as
adults. It denies poor children access to resources and limits educational opportunities; poor
children are disproportionately less likely to attend school than their peers.

"Consider two children born in 2000, one in a very high human development country, the
other in a low human development country. Today the first has a more than 50-50 chance of
being enrolled in higher education: More than half of 20-year-olds in very high human
development countries are in higher education. In contrast, the second is much less likely to
be alive. Some 17 percent of children born in low human development countries in 2000 will
have died before age 20, compared with just 1 percent of children born in very high human
development countries. The second child is also unlikely to be in higher education: In low
human development countries only 3 percent are."6

Tens of millions of children around the world have no access to education. And tens of
millions more children aren’t benefiting from their time in school.

Inequalities in income, gender, culture and health deny children in poverty the basic human
right of education. Unable to attend school and on the margins of society, these children do
not develop intellectually and socially, and do not have the skills necessary to improve their
circumstances as they grow up.

Poor children who do attend school have more difficulty developing intellectually and
cognitively as well.

Living conditions including substandard housing and homelessness, along with inadequate
or non-existent access to health care, and poor nutrition and hunger contribute to
childhood disease and sicknesses, as well as wasting and stunting, all of which hampers a
child’s physical and cognitive development.
Poverty, and all the ills associated with it, such as hunger, disease, inequality, violence,
exploitation, and unemployment, increase the risk of non-schooling and increase the school
drop-out rates.

Poverty takes away the opportunity for a quality education. It limits future potential. It
increases risk for trafficking and exploitation. It prevents children from dreaming and hoping
for a better life, trapping them in a life of misery. And the trap can extend to their children
and last generations more.

 GOVERNMENT POLICIES TO OVERCOME

POVERTY :-

Ever since coming to power, the current government has come up with several programmes
in order to ease the burden of poverty holding India back. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan
Yojana (PMJDY) is one such programme. It looks to provide economically-disadvantaged
people access to different financial services such as a basic savings account, insurance,
credit as and when needed, pension and remittances. People who invest in this scheme can
earn interest on the amount deposited by them, and have accidental insurance cover
amounting to Rs. 1 lakh. The programme does not have a minimum amount that has to be
always maintained.

The programme provides life insurance worth Rs. 30,000 and accountholders can avail
overdraft facilities after six months. The maximum amount of overdraft in case of a single
household is Rs. 5,000. The PMJDY also helps them get access to other insurance and
pension-based financial products. The accountholders are also provided RuPay debit cards.
The programme was launched on 8th April2015.

1. Insurance Programmes

On 9th May, a couple of insurance programmes were launched for members of lower income
groups and economically-backward sections – Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna
(PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY). The age group covered by
PMJJBY is 18-50 years. People willing to be insured under this programme need to pay a
yearly premium of Rs. 330 and they will be provided a life cover amounting to Rs. 2 lakhs.

The PSMBY covers people between the age group of 18-70 years. The yearly premium for
this policy is only Rs. 12. The accountholders get Rs. 1 lakh in case of partial disability in an
accident and Rs. 2 lakh for complete disability and death for the same reason.

2. Agricultural Schemes

The Kisan Vikas Patra, which had been introduced for the first time by India Post way back in
1998, was re-launched. Farmers can invest in this programme in denominations like 1,000;
10,000; 5,000; and 10,000. Investors can expect their money to be doubled after 100
months. The saving certificate scheme can be issued either in the name of one person or
many at a time. It can also be used as collateral to get loans and accountholders get an
interest rate of 8.7%. The Krishi Ambani Bima Yojana tries to help the farmers who are
facing financial issues owing to natural causes that have hindered their farming and affected
their produce. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sinchai Yojana attempts to provide water for
irrigation to different parts of the country.

3. Rural Schemes

Started on 11th October 2014, the Pradhan Mantri Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana places the
responsibility of rural development on the MPs. It is their duty to develop the infrastructural
facilities – physical and socio-economic – of three villages each and this has to be done by
2019. By 2024, they have to develop eight villages each. The first village has to be completed
by 2016. It is expected that by 2024, 6,433 adarsh gram will be created.

The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) programme is supposed to provide
rural areas continuous supply of power. As a part of the plan, the national administration
will invest Rs. 75,600 crore. It has replaced the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana.
The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana was launched on 25th September
2014, which is the 98th birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. It looks to provide
jobs in rural India to people between the age group of 18-35 years.
 4. National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA)

The NREGA bill was passed in 2005 and it became effective from 2006. It became the
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in 2008. As per
the programme, 100 days of work are guaranteed to people in villages across the country. It
has been a successful programme as far as increasing the income levels of poor people in
the rural areas is concerned. It provides work opportunities to people as and when they ask
for it. Even though it involves mostly unskilled manual work, it does provide some sort of
safety net for the economically impoverished. The income from this programme helps them
build some assets that make their lives that much better. This programme is implemented
primarily by the Ministry of Rural Development.

Following are some other plans initiated by the national government for poverty alleviation
in India:

 Annapurna
 National Rural Employment Programme (NREP)
 National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS)
 Rural Labour Employment Guarantee Programme (RLEGP)
 National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
 National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS)
 Jawahar Rojgar Yojna (JRY)
 Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna
 National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
 Rural Housing Program
 Drought Area Development Programme (DADP
 Self-Employment Programme for the Urban Poor (SEPUP)
 Food for Work Programme
  Prime Minister’s Integrated Urban Poverty Eradication Programme (PMIUPEP)
 Minimum Needs Programme (MNP).

NOW INTRODUCING,

 FOOD INSECURITY :-

Food security appropriate food. It means that you or your family aren’t worried about
paying for groceries, means having reliable access to enough good, healthy, and culturally
where your next meal might come from, or cutting back on food in order to pay the bills.
Food security refers to ensuring adequate food supply to people, especially those who are
deprived of basic nutrition. Food security has been a major concern in India.
According to UNO -India, there are nearly 195 million undernourished people in India,
which is a quarter of the world's hunger burden. Also, roughly 43% of children in India are
chronically undernourished. India ranks 68 out of 113 major countries in terms of food
security index 2022.
Though the available nutritional standard is 100% of the requirement, India lags far behind
in terms of quality protein intake at 20% which needs to be tackled by making available
protein-rich food products such as soybeans, lentils, meat, eggs, dairy, etc. at affordable
prices. The Human Rights Measurement Initiative, finds that India is doing 56.8% of what
should be possible at its level of income for the right to food.
  CAUSES OF FOOD INSECURITY :-

Unfortunately, many people in America struggle to meet their basic needs, which increases
their risk of food insecurity. For example, lay-offs at work, unexpected car maintenance, or
an accident can suddenly force a family to choose between buying food and paying bills.
The causes of food insecurity are complex. Some of the causes of food insecurity include:

 Poverty, unemployment, or low income

 Lack of affordable housing

 Chronic health conditions or lack of access to healthcare

 Systemic racism and racial discrimination

 EFFECTS OF FOOD INSECURITY :-

Food insecurity can have a wide impact, depending on someone's circumstances. Here are
just some examples of the effects of food insecurity:

 Food insecurity can cause serious health issues when people have to choose
between spending money on food and medicine or healthcare

 Food insecurity can make it more difficult for a child to learn and grow

 Food insecurity can lead to difficult decisions like choosing between food and rent,
bills, and transportation.

 EFFECT OF FOOD INSECURITY ON CHILD

HEALTH :-

Children ages 0 to 3 who face food insecurity often cannot learn as much, as
fast or as well, because chronic under-nutrition and toxic stress harm their
cognitive development during this critical period of development. Food
 insecurity can actually change the fundamental neurological architecture of
their brain and central nervous system.

Children facing food insecurity are sick more often, and more likely to be
hospitalized.

They can suffer growth impairment that precludes them from reaching their
full physical potential.

They can incur developmental impairments that limit their physical,

intellectual and emotional development.

 EFFECT OF FOOD INSECURITY ON CHILD

EDUCATION:-

Children facing food insecurity often do worse in school. Food insecurity

negatively affects their ability to concentrate and achieve academically.

Children facing food insecurity often struggle with social and behavioral
problems. Without proper nutrition, they have less energy for complex social
interactions, cannot effectively adapt to environmental stress and often feel
physically unwell.

 MID DAY MEAL SCHEME BY GOVERNMENT TO

CHILDRENS :-
 Children usually go to govt. school due to the mid day meal.

The scheme guarantees one meal to all children in government and aided schools and
madarsas supported under Samagra Shiksha.
Students up to Class VIII are guaranteed one nutritional cooked meal at least 200 days in a
year.

 The Scheme comes under the Ministry of HRD.

 It was launched in the year 1995 as the National Programme of Nutritional
Support to Primary Education (NP – NSPE), a centrally sponsored scheme. In
2004, the scheme was relaunched as the Mid Day Meal Scheme .

The MDM rules 2015, provide that:

 The place of serving meals to the children shall be school only.

 If the Mid-Day Meal is not provided in school on any school day due to non-
availability of food grains or any other reason, the State Government shall pay
food security allowance by 15th of the succeeding month.
 The meal shall be prepared in accordance with the Mid Day Meal guidelines
issued by the Central Government from time to time.
 Procuring AGMARK quality items for preparation of midday meals, tasting of
meals by two or three adult members of the school management committee,
including at least one teacher, before serving to children.
  The School Management Committee mandated under the Right to Free and
Compulsory Education Act, 2009 shall also monitor implementation of the
Mid-day meal Scheme.
 The State Steering-cum Monitoring Committee (SSMC) shall oversee the
implementation of the scheme including establishment of a mechanism for
maintenance of nutritional standards and quality of meals.

Nutritional norms:

1. In terms of calorie intake, as per the MDM guidelines, the children in primary
schools must be provided with at least 450 calories with 12 grams of protein
through MDM while the children in upper primary schools should get 700
calories with 20 grams of protein, as per MHRD.
2. The food intake per meal by the children of primary classes, as provided by
MHRD is 100 grams of food grains, 20 grams of pulses, 50 grams of vegetables
and 5 grams of oils and fats. For the children of upper-primary schools, the
mandated breakup is 150 grams of food grains, 30 grams of pulses, 75 grams
of vegetables and 7.5 grams of oils and fats.

Financing:

The cost of the MDMS is shared between the central and state governments.

 The central government provides free food grains to the states.

 The cost of cooking, infrastructure development, transportation of food grains
and payment of honorarium to cooks and helpers is shared by the centre with
the state governments.

 GOVERNMENT ACTION TOWARD FOOD

SECURITY FOR CHILDRENS :-

 WIC :-

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), first
established in the early 1970s, is a discretionary federal program for which Congress must
appropriate funding each year. Its mission is “to safeguard the health of low-income
women, infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious
foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to healthcare.”

WIC participants are pregnant women, breastfeeding women (up to the child’s first
birthday), nonbreastfeeding postpartum women (up to 6 months postpartum), infants (up
to their first birthday), and children up to their fifth birthday.
Prenatal WIC participation has been consistently associated with higher birth weight and
longer gestation, particularly among mothers at highest risk.

WIC serves 53% of all infants younger than1 year old in the United States. Most states
provide vouchers or electronic benefits transfer cards for use in the purchase of eligible
products and for nutrition counseling and connection to health and social services. In most
states, WIC also has an associated program, the WIC Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program,
which gives additional vouchers for the purchase of fresh, locally grown produce at farmers’
markets and roadside stands.

 SNAP :-

SNAP is an entitlement program that provides nutrition assistance to low-income families

and individuals. SNAP, piloted as the Food Stamp Program in 1961 and confirmed with the
Food Stamp Act in 1964 (Pub L No. 88-525), is the largest food and nutrition program of the
USDA. It serves 47 million Americans, 72% of whom are in families with children. Like WIC, it
is a federal program, administered through state agencies. Although SNAP application and
eligibility rules can be complex, the program has been shown to be effective in reducing
food insecurity and negative health and developmental outcomes among recipients. SNAP
provides monthly benefits (usually via electronic benefit transfer cards) to purchase eligible
food items at retailers participating in the program. SNAP allotment is calculated as 30% of
the net monthly household income, capped by number of members of the household (eg,
the maximum monthly allotment for a family of 4 is currently $649, or a maximum of $1.80
per person per meal) . A pilot program to increase monthly family SNAP allotments by $60
was successful in reducing very low food security among children by 30%.

 National School Lunch and National School Breakfast Programs:-

The National School Lunch Program was established in 1946, although the USDA had
provided funds and food to schools for many years before that. More than 32 million
children annually are provided with a nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunch in over
100 000 public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions.
The School Breakfast Program was started as a pilot program in 1966 and was made
permanent in 1975. It provides 13 million children each year with a free, nutritionally
balanced breakfast in more than 89 000 schools. In 1998, Congress expanded the National
School Lunch Program to include coverage for snacks served to children in after-school
educational and enrichment programs.

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act required the USDA to update the meal pattern and
nutrition standards for school meals and foods sold in schools during school hours based on
the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Some of the recent positive changes to the meal
patterns included more whole grains offered, 0 grams of trans fat per portion, appropriate
calories by age, more fruit offered, and reduction of sodium content.

 Summer Food Service Program :-

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) began as a pilot program, the Special Food
Service Program, in 1968, serving children during the summer and in child care. In 1975, the
programs split and the SFSP came to stand on its own.

The SFSP ensures that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when
school is not in session and sustains children’s physical and social development, helping
them return to school ready to learn. Children 18 years old and younger can receive free
meals and snacks at approved community sites, which may include health care institutions.

The SFSP serves approximately 2 million children each summer. Despite its importance,
participation in SFSP is far below the number of children eligible for the program and also
below the number participating in school meals during the school year. In part, this reflects
the challenge of reaching some populations of children during the summer, particularly
children in rural areas, areas with dangerous levels of summer heat, or very urban areas
where transportation or safety may be a challenge.
 HUMAN INSECURITY

 WHAT IS HUMAN INSECURITY

Human insecurity refers to the condition of being exposed to physical, emotional, economic,
social or political threats that may compromise a person's well-being, dignity or survival. It
can arise from a range of factors such as poverty, inequality, conflict, environmental
degradation, disease, displacement, and discrimination, among others.

Human insecurity can have severe consequences on individuals, families, communities and
nations. For example, it can lead to poor health outcomes, limited access to education,
reduced economic opportunities, loss of property and assets, and social exclusion. It can
also increase the risk of violence, exploitation, and abuse.

Addressing human insecurity requires a multi-faceted approach that takes into account the
root causes and underlying drivers of the problem. This may involve policy interventions,
such as investment in education, healthcare, and social protection programs, as well as
conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and environmental conservation efforts. It also requires
ensuring that the human rights of all individuals are respected and protected.
  HUMAN INSECURITY IN CHILDREN :-

Human insecurity can have particularly devastating effects on children, who are often the
most vulnerable and least able to protect themselves. Children who grow up in insecure
environments may experience a range of negative outcomes, including poor physical and
mental health, limited access to education, and reduced economic opportunities.

Factors that contribute to human insecurity in children include poverty, displacement,

armed conflict, discrimination, and environmental degradation. Children who experience
these conditions may face a range of challenges, such as malnutrition, disease, exposure to
violence, and limited access to basic services such as healthcare and education.

Addressing human insecurity in children requires a comprehensive approach that includes

ensuring access to basic services, protecting their rights, and providing safe and stable
environments for them to grow and develop.

This may involve investing in programs such as early childhood development, education,
healthcare, social protection, and child protection services. It also requires addressing the
root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, conflict, and discrimination. By addressing these
issues, it is possible to create a more secure and stable environment for children to thrive in.

 A SURPRISING REASON WHY CHILDREN FEEL

INSECURE :
  There are many reasons why children may feel insecure. Some of the most

common reasons include:

i. Lack of attention and affection: Children need attention and affection from their
parents or caregivers to feel loved and secure. If they don't receive enough of these,
they may feel neglected and unloved.

ii. Inconsistent parenting: Inconsistent parenting can lead to confusion and insecurity in
children. If parents are inconsistent with their rules and expectations, children may
not know what to expect, which can make them feel anxious and insecure.

iii. Trauma or abuse: Traumatic experiences, such as physical or emotional abuse, can
have a profound impact on a child's sense of security. Children who have
experienced trauma may struggle to trust others and may feel unsafe in their
environment.

iv. Bullying or social rejection: Children who are bullied or rejected by their peers may
feel insecure and anxious about their social status and their ability to fit in.
 v. Change or uncertainty: Children thrive on routine and predictability, and sudden
changes or uncertainty can make them feel anxious and insecure. This can include
changes such as moving to a new home or school, the arrival of a new sibling, or
changes in family dynamics.

vi. Parental separation or divorce: Children who experience parental separation or

divorce may feel insecure and uncertain about their future. They may worry about
their parents' love and commitment to them, and may feel torn between conflicting
loyalties.

It is important for parents and caregivers to provide a stable, loving, and supportive
environment for children to help them feel secure and build their resilience.

 THE SITUATION FOR CHILDREN IN INDIA :-

India has the largest adolescent population in the world, 253 million, and every fifth person
is between 10 to 19 years. India stands to benefit socially, politically and economically if this
large number of adolescents are safe, healthy, educated and equipped with information and
life skills to support the country’s continued development. However, adolescent girls are
especially vulnerable to poor nutritional status, early marriage and childbearing, affecting
their ability to live empowered, healthy lives, which in-turn affects the next generation.

India is home to the largest number of child brides in the world. India ranks fourth (after
Bangladesh, Nepal and Afghanistan) among the eight South Asian countries in terms of child
marriage prevalence.

More than half (54 per cent) of adolescent girls have anemia compared to 30 per cent of
boys, and the issue of low Body Mass Index in adolescent girls coupled with challenges of
child marriage and adolescent pregnancies have an intergenerational impact. India has one
of the highest rates of violence against women and between 60-90 per cent of girls face
sexual harassment/violence in public spaces.
The country is highly prone to disasters including flooding, droughts, earthquakes, refugee
flows and climate change that all impact on the rate of development.

 EFFECT OF HUMAN INSECURITY ON CHILDREN :-

Human insecurity can have significant negative effects on children, both in the short and
long term. Children who grow up in insecure environments may experience a range of
negative outcomes, including:

Physical health problems: Children living in insecure environments may face

malnutrition, exposure to infectious diseases, lack of access to clean water and sanitation,
and limited access to healthcare.

Mental health problems: Human insecurity can cause children to experience anxiety,
depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health issues. These problems
can have long-lasting effects on their emotional well-being and can affect their ability to
form healthy relationships and succeed in school.

Limited access to education: Children living in insecure environments may be unable to

attend school regularly or receive a quality education, which can limit their future
opportunities and perpetuate the cycle of poverty.

Exposure to violence: Children living in insecure environments may be exposed to

violence, including domestic violence, child abuse, and armed conflict. Exposure to violence
can cause physical harm, emotional trauma, and long-term mental health issues.
Economic insecurity: Children living in insecure environments may lack access to basic
resources and opportunities, making it difficult for them to escape poverty and achieve
economic stability.

Addressing human insecurity in children requires a comprehensive approach that includes

ensuring access to basic services, protecting their rights, and providing safe and stable
environments for them to grow and develop. It also involves addressing the root causes of
insecurity, such as poverty, conflict, and discrimination, and advocating for policy changes
that promote the well-being of children.

 EFFECT OF HUMAN INSECURITY ON ACADEMICS :-

Human insecurity can have a significant impact on the academic performance of children.
When children experience insecurity due to factors such as poverty, violence, and social
upheaval, it can affect their ability to concentrate, learn, and achieve in school.

One of the primary effects of human insecurity on children's academic performance is that it
can cause them to miss school or fall behind in their studies. For example, children who live
in poverty may not have access to basic necessities like food and clothing, which can make it
difficult for them to focus on their studies. Similarly, children who experience violence or
social upheaval may be forced to flee their homes, leading to disruptions in their schooling.
Human insecurity can also affect children's mental and emotional well-being, which can in
turn impact their academic performance. Children who experience trauma or stress may
struggle with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues that make it difficult for
them to concentrate in school. Additionally, children who feel unsafe or unsupported may
lack the motivation or confidence to succeed academically.

In some cases, human insecurity can lead to lower expectations for academic achievement.
When children are exposed to chronic poverty or violence, for example, they may come to
believe that academic success is out of reach or not worth pursuing. This can create a self-
fulfilling prophecy in which children do not strive to achieve their full potential in school.

Overall, human insecurity can have a range of negative effects on the academic
performance of children. Addressing the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty and
violence, is essential to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to succeed in
school and beyond.

 COPING WITH HUMAN INSECURITY :-

Coping with human insecurity can be a complex and challenging process, as it often involves
dealing with a range of physical, emotional, and social factors. However, there are several
strategies that individuals and communities can use to manage and overcome human
insecurity.
Building strong social networks: Having a strong support system can help individuals cope
with human insecurity. This includes building relationships with family, friends, and
community members, and participating in social activities that promote a sense of belonging
and connection.

Seeking professional help: Seeking professional help from trained mental health
professionals can be an effective way to manage the emotional toll of human insecurity. This
may include counseling, therapy, or medication.

Developing resilience: Developing resilience skills can help individuals bounce back from
adversity and cope with challenging situations. This includes developing problem-solving
skills, maintaining a positive outlook, and practicing self-care.

Addressing the root causes of human insecurity: Addressing the underlying causes of human
insecurity, such as poverty, conflict, and discrimination, can help to create a more secure
and stable environment. This may involve advocating for policy changes or engaging in
community-based initiatives.

Developing emergency preparedness plans: Preparing for emergencies and having a plan in
place can help individuals and communities to manage the immediate impacts of human
insecurity. This may include having a disaster kit, developing evacuation plans, and
identifying safe places to go during emergencies.

Overall, coping with human insecurity requires a multi-faceted approach that takes into
account the physical, emotional, and social aspects of the issue. By developing strong
support systems, seeking professional help, building resilience, addressing root causes, and
developing emergency preparedness plans, individuals and communities can manage and
overcome the challenges of human insecurity.

THE END…