Poverty And Family Gap Analysis

Families can vary greatly in regards to socioeconomic status. For example, a family can be considered part of the upper class. Upper class families covers only 3 percent of the four class model. Families in this class have prestige and are generally known as the elite in their communities. They own elaborate cars and houses and are capable of buying anything expensive. They also have generational wealth, meaning they can pass their money for generations to come. Needless to say, money is not an option to families in this social class (Cherlin, 2013). Middle class families generally have a higher level of education. Their occupations consists of doctors, lawyers, and other high paying occupations and they make up 43 percent of the four class …show more content…
During economic hardships, children are more likely to get spanked, abused or neglected. “This latest finding indicates that the economy plays a role in families’ child maltreatment risk in not only the most prevalent type of maltreatment (neglect), but also in the next prevalent type (physical abuse)” (Hearn, 2014). This fact is not surprising since economic hardships can contribute to stress and stress cause parents to behave in ways that they usually would not. Poverty also has an effect on the child’s psychological development. Low income parents do not speak to their children as often, nor do they spend quality time with them engaging in leisure activities as such as reading or going to the library compared to a middle income family. (Hanson, Hair, Shen, Shi, Gillmore, Wolfe, and Pollack, 2013). A child’s low interaction with parents can certainly take a toll on their mental, physical and emotional health, which is not surprising since a child thrives from the interaction they receive from their parents. Children who live in poverty may also be prone to frontal lobe damage. The frontal lobe is responsible for planning, self-control, and attention span. Consequently, it is vulnerable to the impacts of stress. The research concluded that long exposure to poverty is linked to inadequacy in brain functioning and memory once they become an adult (Hanson et al, 2013). The brain has difficulties functioning when it …show more content…
One of the more popular programs is SNAP which stands for supplemental nutrition assistance program. The purpose of SNAP is to lessen food insecurities for anyone that is a recipient of this program (Shaefer, 2013). This program is certainly beneficial since poverty stricken families can purchase the groceries they need for their household without any worries of food insecurity. Another popular program is WIC which stands for The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. This program “provides low-income, nutritionally vulnerable pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and young children with nutrient-dense food packages, nutritional counseling (including breastfeeding support) and linkage to medical and social services” (Chatterji & Brooks-Gunn, 2004). WIC is essential for low-income women due to the fact that formula and breastmilk are vital for a baby to survive. Pursuing this further, there is a program called the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). This program allows any child who is eligible to receive free or reduced lunches. Receiving these lunches reduces food insecurities in their households as well. (Arteaga &Heflin, 2014). This program is also wonderful for children who may not have many opportunities to eat while their at home. reason being, their school lunch may be their only meal of the day. The last program is the School Breakfast Program