The item of stress that I chose to focus on is poverty. About 15 million children in the United States – 21% of all children – live in families with incomes below the federal poverty threshold, a measurement that has been shown to underestimate the needs of families.
Research shows that, on average, families need an income of about twice
that level to cover basic expenses. Using this standard, 43% of
children live in low-income families. (nccp.org) As a result of this we are faced with an epidemic in the United States. Factors that contribute to poverty is the unemployment as well as under employment. Some children are considered born into poverty because of their race, social class or where they live. Poverty effects children in many ways. The first way is their physical and mental development. Children who live in poverty often experience hunger due to not enough money for food. Their parents may have to choose whether to pay the rent and utilities and putting food on the table. This in return have children under nourished and their development is delayed. Children struggle in school and drop out of school without finishing their education. If the family situation does not improve they may become homeless. This can have a grave impact on the child's mental health which will bring about depression, and due to the lack of nutrition children will not be able to concentrate and have trouble in their studies.
My family was considered to be living below the poverty level for our family size. My mother and father worked to support us. My family pulled together and relied on each other. We got help from our community and friends. My parents provided us with our needs, a home and food to eat. They made sure we had the love and attention even though they worked. I was the oldest so i stepped in and helped out a great deal. We made it through the rough times and struggles.
Within Southern Africa, many households are facing increasing pressures
as they deal with multiple challenges such as low employment, high
levels of disease, environmental resources under pressure and changing
political landscapes. (Regional Environmental Change,
Lashawn, Children do suffer when their families go through hardships including becoming homeless. Things like a parent losing their job can change their lifestyle quickly. Also children that find themselves homeless because they ran away is an issue. Children need stability and a safe place to live. As an adult I think about how stressful it is to try and figure out how to handle financial hardships, now imagine a child that can't do anything to help the situation having to endure the same that an adult endures. That is very overwhelming.
Looking back over the past eight weeks I must say there has been a lot of important information presented about Early Childhood Education from the International front. I have learned a great deal. The first consequence that I have earned about was the very different different teaching strategies from around the world. The most important years of learning are from birth to 5 years of age. It is so important that we work to bridge the gap with organizations such as UNICEF that are working for the good of all children around the world. The second consequence that have enhanced my learning was the way that some countries determine who is educated based on their gender. In some countries female children are not offered the same opportunity of an education because of their sex. This should not be. Every child is important and deserve an education. The third consequence that has broaden my educational position is the presence of situations of hunger, poverty and the absence of immun...
I am currently a lead teacher within the Head Start system. There are some amazing opportunities for growth an advancement within the organization. The most talked about issue concerning quality childcare professionals at my center is continuing education and supervision. At the present time we have only two teachers that do not have at least an associate degree in early childhood. The two teachers are currently working towards their degree. . The company has partnered with some schools to help teachers that want to work towards higher levels of education within the field of service. Head Start provides us with continuing educational workshops and classes to meet the continuing educational standards that need to be met on the state and national level. The company offers the staff room for advancement and growth. If their is a position that comes open they will offer the current staff an opportunity to apply for the position before it is opened up to the pu...
My Supports I must say that I have a great support system within my life. I must start by talking about April 9 th 2017. On this day I lost one of the biggest and much needed cornerstone of my support system. It is the day I lost my father at church and I could not do anything about it. My father had grown to be an important part of my life. He was my confidant; he was my pastor, my dad when I needed to be his little girl again. My life changed forever on that day. I must say that my mom is the center of my system and my husband and three sons have become my cornerstones now. I can go to my mom with anything and she will help me through it. My husband and sons are there for me no matter what. They have seen me at my best and worst. I am the oldest child so I have had to endure some obstacles from my siblings and others this past year. My church family and my faith are also part of my support system. I can talk to my pastor and first lady about so many ...
Lashawn,
ReplyDeleteChildren do suffer when their families go through hardships including becoming homeless. Things like a parent losing their job can change their lifestyle quickly. Also children that find themselves homeless because they ran away is an issue. Children need stability and a safe place to live. As an adult I think about how stressful it is to try and figure out how to handle financial hardships, now imagine a child that can't do anything to help the situation having to endure the same that an adult endures. That is very overwhelming.