Children and Poverty - Article Example

Children and Poverty Poverty is making its roar in the world since inception of time due to which several problems have been faced by human race till date. The predicament of children poverty is very critical and crucial. It has taken human beings to appalling circumstances. More than one billion of the children population living in the world is facing poverty issues. Poverty has made children mentally and physically impeded. The examination of children poverty illustrates that Africa and Asia are the most affected regions. America is also facing this problem but authorities have neglected this issue on wider spectrum. The eradication of this issue in time is imperative and indispensible. Introduction The issue of children poverty prevails throughout the globe. The phenomenon is considerably elevated in the under-developed and developing countries. Emphatically child poverty is referred as the circumstances in which children live without the basic necessities of life. The definition of children varies from region to region however according to UNICEF, individual below the age of eighteen is considered as child. Poverty in children prevails due to unstable financial position of parents or children who are raised as orphans. The impact of poverty on children is colossal. Most of the children are mentally and physically stressed out due to the poverty phenomenon. There are approximately 2.2 billion children breathing on this planet earth from which around one billion are living below the poverty line (Aiello, 2012). Governments and non-governmental organizations have been taking numerous steps to reduce poverty among children throughout the globe. Child poverty mostly prevails in Africa and some Asian countries. The condition of children is pathetic and disgusting as they don’t have enough to eat (Iceland, 2012). The purpose of this paper is to exemplify about children poverty prevailing among different regions of the world. What is the main dilemma and what sorts of impacts do it lay on child’s mind. Moreover what essential measures have been taking to eradicate this issue from world’s canvas? Critical analysis along with concise conclusion is adjoined for precise understanding. The Dilemma The situation leading to this disastrous dilemma is the ever increasing poverty rate in the world. The scarcity of resources among developing countries of the world is a huge problem. Adults are not even able to satisfy their own appetite. The allocation of resources fairly to every nation can eradicate this issue easily. Moreover those children who lose their parents due to any sort of unavoidable reasons have to eventually face poverty. Children are radically left alone and in order to keep themselves alive, children strive to work. People living under the poverty line must not focus on producing children as they would ultimately bring more hunger to the world (Lipina and Colombo, 2009). There is considerable majority of those children who are facing poverty under the age of three years, and cannot practically work. Parents have to ultimately beg in front of others for themselves and their respective children. The creation of employment opportunities for under developed countries and strengthening their economy can massively reduce this problem. Furthermore various diseases prevail among the children due to poverty. Cleanliness and health issues are not addressed by the families or by the children themselves due to no awareness. The orientation of children and families solely remain to satisfy hunger. Most of the poor children have no shelter above them. Death rate of children is therefore higher as they don’t have fundamental necessities of life. Children are not physically and psychologically strong to bear dreadful circumstances in life (Wyness, 2012). Child Poverty in Developed and Under-developed Countries The problem of child behavior exists in developed countries too. The problem in developed countries is radically more as no prior importance is given to it in their homeland. The scenario ubiquitous in United States indicates that around 17 million poor children live in the country. There are many families living in United States who have low family income due to which poverty issue exists. The problem attached with children in America is not primarily related with food problem; it is basically psychological upbringing of them. The psychosomatic issues related with children advocate that they would not become active member of the society in coming years (Iceland, 2012). The access of food remains secondary issue in under-developed and developing countries; primary issue exists is the safe drinking water problem. Reports portray that around 1.4 million children die annually because of no appropriate supplies of clean drinking water. The concern of children poverty is extravagant in Africa and Asia. The circumstances of child poverty in Africa are especially shaking. More than 35% of the population of poor children lies in Africa. South Asia has the second number where 26% of the poor children live. In East Asia, 8% of the poor children are present. Substantial measures need to be take place by the concern authorities to eliminate poverty problem from the world as most of the upcoming generation has not even supplies to fulfill their hunger need (Field, 2010). Psychological Impacts Poverty leads to several mental issues among children. The growth of children cannot take place in vibrant and dynamic manner as their basic necessities of life are not fulfilled. The impact of poverty remains in their mind forever due to which some of the children are involved in illegal activities in the later years. There are several psychological problems attached with the children too. Due to living the life under deprived circumstances, children have certain ambitions, goals and objectives for which they cross the ethical barrier. The participation of children in illegitimate proceedings can be very intransigent for the masses (Wyness, 2012). Psychologists advocate that there are numerous psychosomatic issues in the children who live destitute lives. The magnitude of unfortunate conditioning for long period of time even makes certain individuals mentally retarded. Some children cannot bear hunger anymore therefore chose to commit suicide. Parents also kill their children due to mental tensions. Children’s vision and horizon remains under the confines of fulfilling appetite, nothing more which can be tragic in the long run. Discrimination is the widespread psychological state prevalent in every soul. The rich discriminates poor children and abuse them mentally and physically. These states of affairs may escort to outrageous results. The eradication of this curse sooner from the society is healthier (Iceland, 2012). Physical Growth The physical growth of children living in poverty does not take place as they don’t have adequate supplies. The circumstances in which they live their lives are not even appropriate for animals. The food intake is mostly filthy, unhygienic and unhealthy eatables. By eating unhygienic food, children’s growth is affected terribly and usually they are facing different kinds of diseases and sicknesses. Physically children are weak and fragile. They are not able to face the extent of coming events. The growth in children is associated priory with good food, atmosphere and effective psychological management. Poverty makes them scrawny, skinny and emaciated. They do not play effective role in the nation’s upbringing. The association of life endeavors is connected with money therefore presence of no money and living pathetic life for years indicate that future of the child is finished. The motto and objective of his life would ultimately remain to survive each and every day of life (Lipina and Colombo, 2009). Due to everyday tribulations, problems and troubles; some children are addicted to drugs. Drugs make them physically and mentally weak. The brain and upbringing of children is certainly stopped dramatically. The thinking, perceiving and understanding abilities of children goes out. Memory loss is yet another common issue found in children. Drugs intake initially starts from smoking cigarettes. The intention of drug community remains to addict most of the child and they are told that drugs would take all your problems away. Due to unawareness and ignorance children go into taking drugs and face critical consequences afterwards. In case of taking not taking drugs on time, death also occurs in some cases (Aiello, 2012). Conclusion The scenario prevalent throughout the world suggests that poverty issue is pretty serious and it needs to be resolved soon. United Nations and several world organizations are taking measures to reduce this problem from the world. Massive steps have been taken in Africa specially but the problem still exists. In the first phase cleaning water availability must be made sure as water is life. The per annum death rate of 1.4 million children due to impure drinking water clearly elucidates that drinking water purification is essential. UNICEF and WHO have taken several steps in different parts of the world. The issue in America needs to be given importance too. In order to save other nations to make good impact on the world some countries neglect child poverty problem in their own country; America is the primary example. This dilemma must not take place. Instead of spending billions of dollars on space missions and wars; countries should focus fundamentally on making world safer and healthier place to live. Child poverty issue resolution in India, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Ghana, Algeria, Philippines and Indonesia must be taken instantly. The circumstances in these countries are of serious nature therefore in time measures can be ingenious and inventive. References Aiello, A. E. (2012). Family poverty is associated with cytomegalovirus antibody titers in US children. Health Psychology, 31(1), p5. Field, F. (2010). The Foundation Years: preventing poor children becoming poor adults, The report of the Independent Review on Poverty and Life Chances. Stationery Office /Tso Iceland, J. (2012). Poverty in America: A Handbook, with a 2012 Preface. California: University of California Press. Lipina, S. J., & Colombo, J. A. (2009), Poverty and Brain Development during Childhood: An Approach from Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience. Human Brain Development Series, APA Books, Available from: American Psychological Association, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Wyness, M. G. (2012). Childhood and society: an introduction to the sociology of childhood. London: Palgrave Macmillan. Read More