The impact of poverty on the development of the child has been well examined by scholars. Although poverty's impact on the child's development has been well examined, what is often not understood by the layman is the specific areas in which poverty impacts the child's development. In an effort to provide a more integral understanding of the manner in which poverty impacts the child's development, this investigation provides an overview of the specific areas in which child development is impeded as a result of poverty. Further, this investigation considers the cycle of poverty and how it creates an environment that has a detrimental impact on every aspect of child development.
[...] Further, by examining the current literature on this subject a more integral understanding of the total impact that poverty has on child development will be elucidated. Results Scope of the Problem In order to begin this investigation, it is first helpful to consider the overall scope of child poverty in the United States. Researchers examining this issue have been quick to note that the incidence of child poverty in the US is far from rare. Each year, more children fall into poverty, making it difficult for society to overcome this problem in the long term. [...]
[...] Poverty and Behavioral Development The impact of poverty on the child's behavioral development has also been investigated. Bradley, Corwyn and Burchinal (2001) utilized six family groups of parents to examine the impact of poverty on the development of the child. These family groups included: poor and non-poor European Americans, African Americans and Hispanic families. Children were followed from birth to age 13, in an effort to understand how poverty impacted the development of the child. The results of the investigation suggest that behavioral differences between poor and non-poor families from each ethnic group could be noted. [...]
[...] Given that the number of children living in poverty has increased by double digits since the 1990s, the overall impact that child poverty will have on the United States will eventually be crippling both socially and economically. Clearly, the issue that remains at this point is what can be done to change the cycle of poverty in the United States and improve outcomes for both today's children and tomorrow's society. Unfortunately, resolving this problem is one that remains a difficult challenge. [...]
[...] Poverty and Social Development Researchers examining the effects of poverty on the child have also examined the issue of how poverty impacts social development. Hobcraft and Kiernan (2001) in their investigation of the impact of poverty on the development of the child, examined data for adults at the age of 33, based on data from their childhood. These researchers found that adults who classified themselves as poor in childhood had become socially isolated in adolescence and adulthood. This isolation is directly linked to the development of at risk behaviors and teen pregnancy. [...]
[...] Poverty and Physical Health Other researchers examining the impact of poverty on the development of the child have reported that poverty can have a direct impact on the physical health of the child. Séguin, Qian, Potvin, Zunzunegui, and Frohlich (2003) in their examination of 2223 mothers and their infants note that children poverty impacted the number of times children were admitted to the hospital for health problems. According to these researchers, when variables impacting children's health were controlled for, the number of children from low-income homes admitted to the hospital was significantly higher than those for families of middle or high income. [...]
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