Poverty and Children in the United States - Essay Example

?Running Head: POVERTY AND CHILDREN Poverty and Children in the United s s Institute’s Poverty and Children in the United States Poverty is generally defined as a state of destitution, where one is incapable of sustaining decent living or lifestyle due to lack of resources (Dictionary.com). It refers to the condition of such poverty-stricken people where they do not have access to adequate food supply, medical facilities or any other such vital element for living. It exists almost in every continent and every country, even in a developed country like the United States. Those surviving below the poverty line are faced with innumerable problems making it impossible for them to regain their physical and financial health. In essence, poverty itself is undoubtedly a problem; but the fact remains and it leads to more problems due to which it is almost impossible for poor people to improve their situations. The current population of the United States is 313,232,044 (CIA), which is third largest comparative to the world. According to a 2010 estimate, 15.1% of the United States’ population is forced to live below the poverty line (CIA). However, official figure reporting is usually lower than reality. Also masses find the formula for calculating such a figure faulty in nature. Poverty is officially defined by the United States as that percentage of the people who are unable to sustain the annual federal poverty standards. The Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for a family of four is reportedly $22,050 annually, whereas for a family of three the FPL is $18,310 annually (NCCP). On the other hand, it has been realized that maintaining average living standards is twice as costly as provisioned by the United States’ government. This implies that the real poverty rate in the United States is multifold of the given quoted percentage. In addition to improper setting of the Federal Poverty Level, the government statistics are also accused of ignorance and misleading perceptions as the FPL identified by the government is computed on pre-tax earnings, failing to take into account the effects of tax liabilities which further burden the poor. The United States government earns 15% of its Gross Domestic Product from taxes. Failing to incorporate taxes when considering the prevalence of Federal Poverty Level is an injustice as their consumable income is further reduced by a substantial amount, deteriorating their conditions pertaining to poverty. Poverty is directly linked with unemployment. Those families unable to earn a decent living are inevitably forced to live beneath the poverty line. The current employment rate in the United States is 9.1% per annum (CIA) whereas a 10.8% unemployment rate was determined by a recent census (US Census Bureau). With such alarming unemployment rates prevailing in the region, the rising numbers of families living below poverty line are subsequently increasing. The unemployment rate and population living beneath poverty line is varied in different States just as the unofficially identified finances required for sustaining average existence are slightly varying across the States and cities. However, the official statistics does not take into account this variance, which is the reason for masses rebellion and unacceptance for the official figures. As per the US Census Bureau of 2010, the number of people forced to survive below poverty line are more than 25 million, which account for almost a tenth portion of the entire population considered fit to work; that is sixteen years old and those above sixteen. This implies that almost one person in every ten randomly selected individuals is likely to sleep on an empty stomach, be unable to bear medical expenses and belong to low-income families struggling to merely survive. Even though policies are developed to reduce poverty and to upgrade the living standards of poor families, their effectiveness has not yet been revealed as worthwhile. A child in the United States is any individual below the age of sixteen. Of the total the US demographics in 2010 about 22% of the population is constituted by children by the given definition. Of this child population a disheartening 36% belongs to poor families living below poverty line. In numbers, this figure is estimated to be around 16.4 million children (US Bureau of the Census). Another official figure reveals the percentage of the child population living in poor conditions is 21% (NCCP). When contrasting the federal poverty level with the average expenditure of families, the percentage of children belonging to low income families is evaluated to be about 42% instead (NCCP). Such alarming values pose numerous questions in the minds of public regarding the possible future of these children. Children are known for their extremely sensitive and susceptible nature. They tend to absorb their hardships and tough times in a more sentimental fashion than most adults. Their development is more likely to be hampered due to financial constraints. They are more likely to emanate social, emotional and behavioral disorders and are, thus, unlikely to emerge as responsible citizens. Moreover, in addition to mental health, their physical health is also prone to be unkempt and ill-maintained. Educational back drop is inevitably anticipated to occur as their probability of attending schools and gaining education with other children is heavily reduced. Owing to these incompetencies developing in poor children, they are unable to sustain suitable lifestyle for themselves or for their own families, forcing them deeper into the hardships of poverty (NCCP). The numbers of children in poverty also tend to be racially and geographically discriminated. Black families, Latino families and American Indian families are more likely to be poverty-stricken in comparison to white families. Hence, the percentage of children in poverty comprises of high contributions from these racial families. Also, across the States and across cities, varying percentages of child poverty prevails with a minimum of 10% in New Hampshire and a maximum of 30% in Mississippi (NCCP). The primary reason or the basic foundation of poverty in people is their incapability of earn a decent living, either due to unemployment altogether or due to low family income. However, the problems faced in controlling poverty and the possible remedies formulated to eliminate poverty are discussed hereafter. One of the major problems faced by the government in their attempts to control poverty is the tendency of low income group members to have larger families. Due to large size of families, the financial constraints and accompanying problems of financial shortfall keep tightening on them, making progress impossible. On the contrary, this phenomenon pushes these families deeper into the darkness of poverty. It is estimated that 80 million people are born in the world every year. The highest fertility rates are observed in under-developed and developing countries (Population Connection). Hence, a major portion of population expansion occurs in these countries. Even with immigration into the United States, the conditions of poor individuals and families have not improved and still a large portion of people are forced to live in poverty. The government policies and efforts are rendered worthless due to large family sizes. A methodology for controlling and rectifying this issue is to educate masses about family planning and birth controls. In fact, numerous organizations of national and international repute are currently working towards this education and population control. With the reduction of family sizes, the government will be able to reach these people in need more effectively. The poverty liberation process is likely to be rapid and progressive. Hence, mass campaigns and educational events are organized in numerous regions providing knowledge regarding the benefits of smaller families and contraception. In a recent release, the present government’s initiatives to make contraception absolutely free for all women and its coverage by insurance costs instead are a reflection of their efforts to control population growth. In a press release dated 20th January 2012, it was reported that the Obama administration does not intend to undo the previous contraception coverage by insurance policy implemented earlier. In fact, the present administration is headed towards universal coverage of birth control whereby women are adequately provided with resources and decision making power to adopt contraceptive measures in accordance with their free will (Population Connection). As women will increasingly opt for contraception, a control over population growth will automatically be enacted, reducing the population under governance and, hence, will be more properly provided for. Another major issue of poverty is the children’s back drop in education. According to some researchers from University of New Hampshire, children living in poverty under the age of six are prone towards educational deficits and health issues spanning over their entire lifetime. Another research substantiated these research findings by stating that most of the worrisome social issues currently prevailing in the society in fact stem from the problems and prevalence of poverty (Berman, 2011). It is evident that poverty stricken youth is less likely to possess inclination for education and more likely to opt for dropouts. This attention deficit disorder further deteriorates the case of poor families as these young individuals, due to the general lack of education and expertise, are unable to sustain themselves or earn decent living for their families. This transmits poverty along the hereditary lines. Such individuals are also likely to be influenced by criminals and grow up to become one. At times, such deprived children are unable to retain their existence in schools due to financial pressures, accounting for the public opinion regarding school masses being discriminated according to income groups. Several government and non-government organizations are currently operating to control this rising issue. The government policies also have a special space for these financially deprived children but their policies need to be further strengthened to achieve maximum effectiveness. Furthermore, an organization by the name of National Center for Child in Poverty and numerous such organizations are putting efforts to improve the quality and probability of success for these special individuals. National Center for Child in Poverty (NCCP), in collaboration with W. K. Kellogg foundation has laid the foundation of “Pathways” – an innovative student-centered strategy to control dropouts and educational deficiencies especially in poor children. This foundation not only supports the child but also their families in order to provide a commendable start for the unfortunate youth. This way the children can be kept aloof the family problems and instead focus their attention on studies. Further efforts are being made for mental, health-wise and financial betterment of such families. Last but not the least, the increasing costs and progressive scarcity of medical facilities in the United States has also contributed towards poverty. Illness is rarely a seldom occurring phenomenon; on the contrary, about 22.1% adolescents and adults suffer from mental illnesses like depression etc (MedicineNet.com). Food-borne diseases are also common in the region. In addition to this, the occurrence of chronic diseases in children has substantially increased (Lowry). In these increased occurrences of medical problems and the ever rising costs of Medicare, it will not be wrong to state that this phenomenon has also contributed towards poverty. This factor, coupled with the prevalence of inflation and stunted economic growth is the main obstacle faced by several developing countries, including the United States. Poverty by nature is a complex phenomenon lacking proper framework for causes and effects. Some may even regard it as a vicious cycle of endless tyranny practiced against the poor. In fact, close observations reveal that the rich have a much substantial part to play in maintaining the poverty of the low-income families. Lack of opportunities and resources for the poverty-stricken families is somewhat created by the rich in the nation including those belonging to educational years and those belonging to professions. The poor are constantly reminded about their weak economic condition and consequently pushed into the back drop of preferences. The resulting mental pressures do not allow these unfortunate individuals to rescue themselves from the pit of poverty. The recent economic reforms pertaining to the Obama’s administration have taken into account numerous factors causing and promoting poverty, especially unemployment. Obama’s government has emphasized on the creation of job opportunities by promoting business activities, and this government has also achieved it. A decrease in the unemployment rate has been observed since the Obama’s administration came into power. In 2010, the unemployment rate was 9.6% which reduced to 9.1% in 2011 (CIA). However, recent census and statistics reveal that the unemployment rate prevailing as per December 2011 was successfully reduced to 8.5% (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Obama’s administration has yield positive results in this regard. Not only this, some statistics also project a further decrease in unemployment rate during the following years. In the upcoming decade, provided that the trends do not change, an employment upsurge will be noticed with the most obvious change in the field of healthcare and social assistance. This growth rate will be seconded by Professional and business services. The educational sector will also observe an employment bloom (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012). This will provide ample hiring opportunities for employers and also reduce the unemployment rate substantially. The economic growth and productivity will ultimately follow. However, poverty is also attributed with the poor’s own attitude; that is, the deprived individuals will seek welfare support even in the face of opportunities. These individuals have proven to over-burden the welfare system of the United States. Such individuals are less likely to become a part of any labor force or any change regime contributing towards the elimination of poverty. Even though this development and betterment is relatively slow paced, positive results are anticipated to be revealed in upcoming years given the government’s dedication to serve the country and its nation and the non-government organizations’ priceless contributions in their supporting role is not hampered. Poverty can be eliminated, and it will be. References Berman, J. (2011). One in four young US children living in poverty, Study finds. Hiffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/22/children-in-poverty-us_n_976868.html Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2011). Employment Projections for major industries 2010-20. BLS.gov. Dictionary.com. (n.d.). Poverty. Dictionary.com. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/poverty Lowry, F. (2010). Prevalence of chronic Illness in US kids has increased. MedScape News. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/717030 MedicineNet.com. (n.d.). Mental Illness. MedicineNet.com. Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=21466 NCCP. (n.d.). Putting Research to work for children and families. NCCP.org. Population Connection. (n.d.). Education and Action for a better world. PopulationConnection.org. The World FactBook. (n.d.). United States. CIA.gov. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html US Bureau of the Census. (2010). Income, poverty and health insurance coverage in US. US Bureau of the Census. Retrieved from http://www.npc.umich.edu/poverty/#5 US Census Bureau. (2010). Employment Status 2010 American Community Survey 1-year Estimates. US Census Bureau. Retrieved from http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_1YR_S2301&prodType=table Read More