Poverty and Children in the United States Essay - 1

Poverty and Children in the United States - Essay Example The technological advancements and extraordinary industrialization has accelerated poverty rate in the country, and a large number of people is leading a miserable life as well as is deprived of the basic human needs even. Children are supposed to be one of the most affected strata of society that has become the victim of growing poverty in the country. Since children are not in a position to earn their bread, they are certainly dependent of their parents and guardians for the achievement of all basic necessities of life. Since the growing rate of poverty has decreased the earning and purchasing power of the adults, it has become really hard for them to feed their children properly within limited opportunities and resources at large. As a result, the children appear to be deprived of adequate and sufficient food, clothing and shelter on the one hand, and apposite education, health and transportation facilities on the other. â€Å"According to figures released by the U.S. Census Bure au in September 1996, 13.8% of Americans live in poverty. Many more are on the borderline. Poverty affects all ages, but an astonishing 48% percent of its victims are children, as about 15 million children -- one out of every four -- live below the official poverty line. In addition, 22% of Americans under the age of 18 -- and 25% under age 12 -- are hungry or at the risk of being hungry.† (Quoted in heartsandminds.org) Scarcity of food and lack of regular and sufficient nutrition drastically tell upon the health and fitness of the children, which make them incapable of doing petty domestic chores even by lending a hand to their parents. Moreover, it has also become almost impossible for them to pay due heed to their studies and education. If a person is not allowed to have access to edibles essential for his growth and strength, it would not be possible for him to work efficiently. Hence, neither the growing are children capable of attending their schools for seeking educatio n regularly, nor can they show any performance in sports and games in the playgrounds. Consequently, the US society is mere preparing the sick, weak and untidy generation to run the political, social, economic and religious affairs of the country for the future years to come. According to the Connecticut Commission for Children, between 2001 and 2002 alone, the number of poor children in the U.S. rose from 11.7 to 12.1 million. In Connecticut, one in ten children lives in poverty. (2004: 2) The researches reveal the very fact that poverty has snatched smiles and giggling from the very lips of the poor children. Since modern technological era has helped in the development of mental capacities, the children are in a position to comprehend the natural and social phenomena in their environment. Moreover, the IT age has expanded the communication activities by improving the communication devices, the developments being made in various parts of the world can be watched and monitored throu gh the use of cable TV. The poor children also watch the same colorful activities and long for enjoying the same level of entertainment and recreation for them as well. However, since their down-trodden parents are unable to feed them even in an adequate mode, the question of providing such precious and costly recreational facilities to their innocent