Future Teacher & Current Student in Edu100: Social Justice Issue: Poverty

In our country over the past few years, there has been an average of 20% of all people living below the poverty line. Although that number has been fluxuating a little, this number is still way to high. In reality this means that 20% of all United States citizens cannot afford the basic needs for living. This is scary to think that this many people cannot afford food, shelter, or clothing for their families. And although this is people of all ages suffering, I can't help to think about the children living under these kind of conditions. In 2006 the percentage of minors living below the poverty line was 21.9%. These were all children and teenagers under the age of 18 who were starving or homeless. It's really sad that our government knows this, and not much seems to be done about it.

Over the past thirty years, poverty has had changes, but for the most part it has only gotten worse. Poverty among children has gotten much worse, especaialy those children whose parents immigrated here. Once these immigrants get here they immediately find a job, even if the money is sufficent enough to provide for their family, they need to make some income. Therefore these immigrant's children end up suffering.

The increase in poverty in our country has also been linked to different family situations. When a child lives in a situation where only one parent is present in their life, they are much more likely to be living in poverty. Whether the other parent is deceased, or just not around, there chances of being in poverty are much greater. This is true for the single parent too. With no help from another income, and our country's current economy, it can be a even more of a problem to get by as a single parent.

With the rise of children in poverty, what effect does this have on their education? If children are coming to school unfed, or not taken care of, their ability to do well in school decreases signifigantly. With no food, or not enough, a child can't possibly focus, or succeed while in school. Children who are living below the poverty line, are twice as likely to repeat a grade, than those who are living above the poverty line. Students living below the poverty line also don't achieve as high as others on the standardized tests.

When it comes down to it, something has to be done for these people living below the poverty line, especially the children. Either our government or some sort of financial help needs to be given to the children. Every child deserves the opportunity to a good education, and if things at home are taking away from that opportunity, that's just not right. Poverty is something no one should have to deal, and I know it couldn't be changed overnight, but maybe with our new president, there will be hope for change.