Chidren and Poverty

Abstract

At the first glance poverty can be deemed one of the negative factors responsible for diminishing a child’s capacity to correctly capture what is being taught within the classroom. Statistics have shown that children who live in poverty during the course of their early childhood, who are entering the beginning stages of their education, are more likely to drop-out of school. Despite these facts, extra investigations are required. Further studies are necessary when attempting to develop a better understanding on the importance of poverty and the lasting effects on a child’s ability to learn. Extra research may offer answers to questions such as, is poverty the main component for learning deficits among the children who are considered poor? Should the same assumption be made for children who live in a financially stable environment?

Keywords: Poverty

Introduction

This paper will discuss the relationship between children and the effect of poverty. Children who live in poverty are impacted in various ways. Some examples impaired cognitive ability, academic performance and overall health and well-being. The paper will further expand on this topic by analyzation of articles which explain the correlation concerning poverty and the negative effect it has on children. As well as what are some of the strategies being implemented by pediatric medical professionals that can offer assistance to children and families. The research findings will substantiate claims that for certain children, lack of income can be detrimental impairing their ability to function throughout their childhood. Ultimately creating many obstacles hindering their ability to function throughout the course of their early years. The article's findings helped to uncover how the children raised in poverty for a long duration were among the most impacted, ultimately suffering the poorest consequences.” - Poverty’s effect on the mind. The studies indicate the children who lived in poverty during the course of their early childhood; who are entering the beginning stages of their education, are less likely to continue their education making it more probable that they will at some point through- out the course of their education drop out of school despite, these facts additional study is required in order to develop a better understanding on the effects of poverty and childhood learning and education. (Please note that all statements above in quotations are citations taken from the article Poverty’s effect on the mind.)

Literature Review

The first reviewed article was recently published in 2016, by Lisa J. Chamberlin, M.D., MPH; titled Childhood Poverty the article specifies how various medical professionals can learn to better assist children who are stricken by poverty. The “Training initiative” which is dedicated to improving child health, strengthening community pediatrics advocacy training.” The preparation that is required among the medical community will help prescreen individuals in order to help provide a higher level of medical and preventative care and additional resources, which can offer assistance for individuals lacking life sustaining resources. The basis for this training is to make educated and beneficial rulings that can provide the best clinical conclusion regarding child patient care. The literature also provides information regarding how social influences and the lack of structuralizing within the home is capable of having a negative effect on a child’s capacity to learn both in and outside of the classroom. The literature states why it is so imperative that medical professionals specializing in pediatrics follow proper procedures specifically created to help children in need. Such claims such as “Health care providers should be prepared through medical curricula to directly address the health harms of poverty” as stated in the article Childhood Poverty. The medical curriculum was used as to help reduce the effects of poverty. Heath officials acknowledge the health risk that can impair a child’s ability to develop. Children who live in poverty are vulnerable and are more susceptible to illness. The study indicates that individuals who live in poverty are more inclined to adapt to their environments than change them. Since children are unable to make changes in the surroundings they have no control over their economic status or level of education and care given by others. All these factors make it difficult for a child to develop a clear understanding of what their role is within the home and society. Often these stress results in anxiety and problems focusing which contribute to hindering the way children process information.

Literature and Review

Upon reviewing the second article by Rebecca A. Clay titled Fighting Poverty there seemed to be statistics that indicate “nearly 44% of children in The United states are among the many of the nation’s people who come from low income families.” The variables that were considered in the publication was the relationship between “socioeconomic status and executive function.”- Fighting Poverty. The findings suggest “Consistent with environmental causes, the disparities in socioeconomic status were partly accounted for by children’s access to stimulating toys, and books, excursions to visit people and places outside the homes and parents who talked to them.” The article then explains how children suffer negative changes in the brains prefrontal cortex. Such fluctuations are attributed to anxiety and lack of intellectual stimulus, nourishment, contact to lead and changes in medical treatment.

Theory

The finding’s in the article Fighting Poverty demonstrated valid points