The Effects of Poverty on Children and the Elderly

The Effects of Poverty on Children Liberty University Human Services 500-C06 Dr. Sheila Speight Kathy V. Jones April 6, 2012 Abstract Why should it matter that our country has not been able to ensure that every child has a safe and nurturing childhood? The percentage of children living in poverty in the United States has risen significantly in the last few years. The negative long term effects of poverty can extend from birth into adulthood. Research will show that these children and their families are at risk in many ways and that they will face challenges that will ultimately affect how they will function in this society. The stress of poverty upon the†¦show more content†¦Programs That Mitigate the Effects of Children in Poverty Since 2007, the number of children in the United States who lived in poverty continued to increase. Nearly one in five children were considered to be poor. When compared with children from more affluent families, poor children are more likely to have poor academic performance, health, emotional and behavioral problems. A wide array of government assistance programs and policies were instituted that were intended to mitigate the effects of poverty on low- income children by making sure that their families had access to basic human necessities such a s food, housing, education, and healthcare. (Devaney, 1997, p 88). These public assistance programs were federally funded and were designed to enhance the quality of life for the poor. Programs such as Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), food stamps, school nutrition programs, Medicaid and Head Start. The Food Stamp program provides food assistance nationwide and is based on financial need. It was designed to raise the level of nutrition for low income households with children. 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