Physical Development: Physical Article/Issue
The American Psychological Association published an article entitled The effects of Poverty, Hunger, and Homelessness on Children and Youth. The article discusses how poverty effects children in a myriad of ways. Children from low socio-economic areas face problems with academic achievement. Not only are schools in disadvantaged areas rated lower, but the children the children attending them often have trouble concentrating from family stress related to poverty. Poverty often affects children's health and mental well-being. When children don't have access to healthy food, they develop food insecurity and hunger. Hungry children are more likely to be "anxious, irritable, aggressive, and show more oppositional behavior" than other children in their class; these children are likely to be the 'trouble' students in class. The article points to a study where hungry children were 7 to 12 times as many symptoms of conduct disorders than other children. Furthermore, the economic hardship puts stress on the whole family which then passes onto the child. The stress placed on the children increases the chance of the children developing mental problems. Fortunately, a child's brain has plasticity and can recover form the effects of poverty with good food, support, and living conditions.
("Effects of poverty,," )
("Effects of poverty,," )
Citations
An attack on children. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://saveoureitc.com/who-would-raise-taxes-on-the-working-poor-to-pay-for-a-tax-cut-for-the-wealthy/
Effects of poverty, hunger and homelessness on children and youth. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/pi/families/poverty.aspx?item=2
Effects of poverty, hunger and homelessness on children and youth. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/pi/families/poverty.aspx?item=2