Poverty and Productive Adults

Effects of Poverty on Children

Poverty is defined as the lack of the minimum food and shelter necessary for maintaining life. A child who grows up in poverty face an uphill battle throughout their lives, as poverty often forces them to drop out of school in order to help provide for the family, and denies them the medical care that they need to grow into strong, healthy, productive adults. Children are dependent on others; they enter or avoid poverty by virtue of their family’s economic circumstances. They cannot alter family conditions by themselves, until they approach adulthood.
Unemployment and very low income create an environment where children cannot simply go to school. Those who live in extreme poverty or below poverty line for multiple years appear to suffer the worst outcomes. As for those who can actually go to school, they simply don’t see how hard work can improve their life as they see their parents fail at the task every day. Children who experience poverty during their preschool and early school years have lower rates of school completion. The consequences of early school failure are increased likelihood of truancy, drop out, and unhealthy or delinquent behaviors.
Due to these behaviors, children will delay in language development, aggression, violence, substance abuse, irregular attendance, and depression. Teachers also may find the student not completing assignments, not studying for tests, and does not come to school prepared to learn because of poverty related situations in the home environment. These children may be unable to concentrate or focus. They may be unwilling or unable to interact with peers in school in an effective manner. Prior to these issues not only have an impact on