1
Child Poverty in the United States
Abstract
Child poverty is one of the most significant challenges affecting the United States.
With at least 320 million children living in poverty, it is evident that these children need
government assistance to come out of the unfortunate situation. This study aimed to discuss
child poverty from various perspectives, including the main definitions of child poverty, the
causes and effects of child poverty, and the various ways of dealing with the problem. To
obtain information on child poverty, the study relied on a literature review of scholarly
journals and books on the subject. While the study may not have tackled all aspects of child
poverty, it has acted as the foundation for understanding the challenge of child poverty.
Introduction
, CHILD POVERTY IN THE UNITED STATES 2
Child poverty is defined as the state where children live in poverty either as part of a
poor family or being raised as dependant orphans with no means of keeping themselves out
of poverty (Short, 2016, n.p). Therefore, in both situations, poverty refers to the situation
where the children grow with limited or no resources that enable them to make a living.
Another way of looking at child poverty is by considering whether the children live in
conditions that can be considered the minimum expectations of a nation. There is a close
relationship between child poverty and being orphaned, as the loss of parents can mean that
the children will almost always lack the means of productions to cater to their basic needs.
Although child poverty is not most prevalent in the United States, many children are living in
poverty. As of 2015, at least 385 million children are extremely poor throughout the world
(McCarty, 2017, n.p). Further statistics indicate that about 663 million children are extremely
poor, which is about 35% of all the world’s children.
Definitions of Child Poverty
Children have been defined as ‘people under the age of eighteen.’ This definition is
based on the fact that most countries regard people as adults as soon as they attain the legal
age of eighteen. However, every country places the adult gap at difference ages, with Nigeria,
for example, placing the age at fourteen while others have placed it at 21. These differences
play a critical role in whether these children can sustain themselves after they lose their
parents. These differences can also determine whether individuals can sustain themselves as
these ages dictate whether one can work for a living. In all countries, children cannot be
employed, as this would contravene the United Nations’ agreement to protect children from
exploitation (McCarty, 2017, n.p). With these factors, children end up as subjects of
circumstances as they have to wait until they are adults to take charge of their lives.
Child Poverty in the United States
Abstract
Child poverty is one of the most significant challenges affecting the United States.
With at least 320 million children living in poverty, it is evident that these children need
government assistance to come out of the unfortunate situation. This study aimed to discuss
child poverty from various perspectives, including the main definitions of child poverty, the
causes and effects of child poverty, and the various ways of dealing with the problem. To
obtain information on child poverty, the study relied on a literature review of scholarly
journals and books on the subject. While the study may not have tackled all aspects of child
poverty, it has acted as the foundation for understanding the challenge of child poverty.
Introduction
, CHILD POVERTY IN THE UNITED STATES 2
Child poverty is defined as the state where children live in poverty either as part of a
poor family or being raised as dependant orphans with no means of keeping themselves out
of poverty (Short, 2016, n.p). Therefore, in both situations, poverty refers to the situation
where the children grow with limited or no resources that enable them to make a living.
Another way of looking at child poverty is by considering whether the children live in
conditions that can be considered the minimum expectations of a nation. There is a close
relationship between child poverty and being orphaned, as the loss of parents can mean that
the children will almost always lack the means of productions to cater to their basic needs.
Although child poverty is not most prevalent in the United States, many children are living in
poverty. As of 2015, at least 385 million children are extremely poor throughout the world
(McCarty, 2017, n.p). Further statistics indicate that about 663 million children are extremely
poor, which is about 35% of all the world’s children.
Definitions of Child Poverty
Children have been defined as ‘people under the age of eighteen.’ This definition is
based on the fact that most countries regard people as adults as soon as they attain the legal
age of eighteen. However, every country places the adult gap at difference ages, with Nigeria,
for example, placing the age at fourteen while others have placed it at 21. These differences
play a critical role in whether these children can sustain themselves after they lose their
parents. These differences can also determine whether individuals can sustain themselves as
these ages dictate whether one can work for a living. In all countries, children cannot be
employed, as this would contravene the United Nations’ agreement to protect children from
exploitation (McCarty, 2017, n.p). With these factors, children end up as subjects of
circumstances as they have to wait until they are adults to take charge of their lives.
