Children make up 23.1% of the U.S. population and they disproportionately experience poverty compared to other age groups. California has the highest child poverty rates. Child poverty has profound long-term educational, health and economic consequences.
According to The California Poverty Measure 24.3% of children in California remain in poverty. Research in developmental psychology provide evidence that early life experiences are critical for child development. Having insufficient support during this period leads to adverse circumstances and life-long inequality compared to more advantaged peers. The effects of poverty on children begin during pregnancy: Increased exposure to stress can undermine brain development of the fetus, affect overall …show more content…
For instance, lack of education will cause lack of labor force participation when these children grow up. And having lack of labor force, a country cannot grow further. Beyond this, child poverty is also economically costly. It has been estimated that one percentage increase in child poverty could cost the economy extra $28 billion annually.
Considering the negative consequences for both well-being of children and country’s welfare, poverty rates are unacceptable. Given the nation’s resources, there is an ability to address this problem. Early intervention in the lives of poor children is important to provide them with a better start in life and improve their life outcomes.
Obama called to increase the minimum wage to escape poverty. However, not only California’s minimum wage is already higher than other states but also the proposed increase of only $1.75 is already below the poverty line. It won’t make a difference.
Earned Income Tax Credit is another choice which is a federal program that is designed to supplement income for low earning workers by reducing their tax burden. The government can support the EITC more. Yet, still it does not offer a long-term solution to lift families out of poverty. Families fall back into poverty over the course of the year and will go through the same
According to The California Poverty Measure 24.3% of children in California remain in poverty. Research in developmental psychology provide evidence that early life experiences are critical for child development. Having insufficient support during this period leads to adverse circumstances and life-long inequality compared to more advantaged peers. The effects of poverty on children begin during pregnancy: Increased exposure to stress can undermine brain development of the fetus, affect overall …show more content…
For instance, lack of education will cause lack of labor force participation when these children grow up. And having lack of labor force, a country cannot grow further. Beyond this, child poverty is also economically costly. It has been estimated that one percentage increase in child poverty could cost the economy extra $28 billion annually.
Considering the negative consequences for both well-being of children and country’s welfare, poverty rates are unacceptable. Given the nation’s resources, there is an ability to address this problem. Early intervention in the lives of poor children is important to provide them with a better start in life and improve their life outcomes.
Obama called to increase the minimum wage to escape poverty. However, not only California’s minimum wage is already higher than other states but also the proposed increase of only $1.75 is already below the poverty line. It won’t make a difference.
Earned Income Tax Credit is another choice which is a federal program that is designed to supplement income for low earning workers by reducing their tax burden. The government can support the EITC more. Yet, still it does not offer a long-term solution to lift families out of poverty. Families fall back into poverty over the course of the year and will go through the same