Helping Poor Children and Children in Poverty

Over 48% of the victims of poverty are children.

Poverty affects all ages, but an astonishing more than 48% percent of its victims are children. Among the 21 most affluent nations, the United States has the highest percentage of poor children.

Children in Poverty

Every 32 seconds, a child is born poor in America. Poverty can impede children’s ability to learn and contribute to social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Poverty also can contribute to poor health and mental health; disrupt children’s development and negatively impact their educational advancement, and their ability to lead productive lives and become responsible citizens.

Poor Children

Risks are greatest for poor children who experience poverty when they are young and/or deep and persistent poverty. And yet millions of young children feel the effects of poverty every day.

Research is clear that poverty is the single greatest threat to children’s well-being. But effective public policies can make a difference. Investments in the most vulnerable children are also critical.

Recent welfare reform bills cut billions of dollars in aid to poor children and families. It is estimated that it has increased the number of children in poverty by one million children. Sadly, even though we are the richest industrialized nation, we are the stingiest with aid to help our own poor children.

Sadly, even though we are the richest industrialized nation, we are the stingiest with aid to help our own poor children.

Helping Children

Fortunately, some Americans care about helping children. Three out of every four voters agree that our political leaders are not doing enough to help solve the problems facing poor children. Despite strong concern over our national debt, two-thirds of the American electorate believes that government programs for helping children should be the last to be cut. This willingness to help children extends to voters of all ages, races, and political and economic backgrounds.

There are other hopeful signs. Both private and public non-profit and charitable organizations are dedicated to build better futures for poor children and to help children in poverty in the United States. There primary mission is to foster public policies, human-service reforms and community support that more effectively help meet the needs of today’s families and children in poverty.

Even a small amount of our time and contribution can make a big difference in helping poor children in poverty. And society benefits, too. Crime rates decline; children become better educated and then see their futures with more optimistic eyes.

However small your contribution, you’re helping a community deeply in need. With more than 14 million children in need, every volunteer and contribution is an asset in our ongoing war to help children in poverty.