Running head: CAUSE OF AMERICAN POVERTY AND THE EFFECTS IT HAS ON CHILDREN 1
Cause of American Poverty and the Effects It Has on Children
Daphney Pratcher
Strayer University
English 115
Cause of American Poverty and the Effects It Has on Children 2
Poverty is the lack of basic human need, such as fresh water, nutrient, health care, education, clothing, and shelter, because of the inability to afford them. Is there Poverty in America? One of the richest countries in the world? Yes, poverty is a reality in America; the causes of poverty involve issues related to economics and education coupled with abuses ...view middle of the document...
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Cause of American Poverty and the Effects It Has on Children 3
The percentage of American children living in poverty has been on the rise throughout the past decade, contributing to a growing number of high poverty schools where more than two thirds of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. Between the 1999-2000 and 2007-2008 school years, before the effects of the current recession were even fully felt, the ratio of high poverty schools increased from 12 to 17 percent. From the very first time they enter a classroom, disadvantaged children are already behind. These children tend to receive less preventative medical and dental care, leading to more illnesses and school absences. They are more prone to asthma, resulting in disrupted sleep, irritability, and less exercise. Lower birth weight, lead poisoning, and iron-deficiency anemia are more commonly found among children from low-income families, causing cognitive impairments and behavior problems. Also a lot of children tend to drop out of school. Children from low-income families are less likely to be read to aloud in their homes, go on fewer educational excursions to places like museums and zoos. The higher stress levels caused by family poverty often result in arbitrary discipline. Crime, drugs, and violence are in their neighborhoods, and there are fewer adults with...
