Poverty
As a child growing up the
process is difficult enough without other complications, which would be called
stressors, to make it a little more challenging. Poverty at some level is very prevalent
in most societies, and children are under stress though they may not know at
such a young age. Poverty can be a combination of nowhere to live, no money or
just enough to get the necessities, little food to each etc. Children living in
poverty are dearly affected because they may not be getting what is needed to excel
at school, develop physically, their hygiene may not be the best which can
affect their social activities. I have seen children who are greatly affected
by poverty, it causes them not to have school uniforms, attendance at school
was low, and learning was not always their priority but more so to gain
attention through giving trouble. Most of these children would end up not
completing school or would barely get through school with little education.
Then on the rare occasion some children see the need to get out of poverty and
try to make the best out of their situation, and make the best out of school. The
children who did not finish school may end up doing drugs, stealing, or
violence, while the children who pushed pass their stressor would seek to find
a job and further educate themselves while working. Though a child’s
environment affects their decisions as they grow up, some responsibility is
still on them for the decisions they make.
I do believe that there can be a ripple effect when the countries economy is stabilized. I feel the same with the United States economy. If working people were given the chance to make living wages we would see a huge decrease in poverty and poverty stresses. Like you discussed, when people are working daily to survive they can not worry about healthcare and education. However, until people are able to do more than survive the cycle is created and maintained.
ReplyDeleteHi Kiendra
ReplyDeleteI support your view that the majority of children who are faced with poverty seldom finish school and end up on the streets doing drugs, prostitution, stealing and committing crimes. Whereas just a few "strong willed" ones are able to see past the poverty and strive for greatness. Sir Arthur Lewis once said that "the fundamental cure for poverty is knowledge, not money". Nevertheless, if these children are to get out of poverty through knowledge, we as childcare providers need to help them reflect on their inner beauty and capabilities so that they can develop an appreciation for self which in turn would lead to them developing a positive identify of self. Only then, do I believe that they would able to seek knowledge in an effort to get out of that vicious cycle of poverty.
Poverty is such a common problem that more children experience then not. Sometimes I get mad when I see these reality shows and the characters boost and show off their material possessions and we have many children all over the world that are suffering from poverty and poor living conditions and this just seems so unfair at times.
ReplyDeleteHello Kiendra
ReplyDeleteOften times, adults do not understand that children deal with stress. Poverty affects children in a variety of ways. Children need to know and be taught about self identity. Their circumstance is not who they are nor does it identify who they are. It is important for children to understand the value of their education and no matter what, they are not to give up becuase it will provide them with a better quality of life regarding new opportunities. This is the beginning of getting out of proverty.
Poverty is a huge epidemic in certain areas of Guyana, my family and my husband is from there. Did you also know GUyana is #1 on the map for teen pregnancy?
ReplyDelete