Addressing Child Poverty in Developed Nations: Solutions and Causes
It is concerning that wealthy countries like America and England face a significant child poverty crisis. The Child Poverty Action Group reports that 4.1 million children lived in poverty in the UK in 2016-17 (2018), while the National Center for Children in Poverty states that about 15 million children in the United States (21%) live in families below the federal poverty threshold. This essay explores potential solutions and causes to address child poverty in rich countries.
Government Income Support for Low-Income Families
One solution is providing government income support to parents living in poverty to ensure a decent living. Ideally, this support should begin before children are born, as research shows that 49% of children born into poverty spend at least half their childhoods in poverty (Ratcliffe & McKernan, 2010). Helping parents financially translates to helping their children and reducing the risk of long-term poverty. While identifying families in need and funding such programs can be challenging, preventing poverty early on saves governments healthcare costs associated with the negative health impacts of childhood poverty (Wood, 2003).
Job Security and Fair Wages for Parents
Another solution is ensuring stable jobs and fair pay for parents. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (2018) highlights that the number of working families trapped in poverty in the UK rose by over one million between 2013 and 2017. This indicates that many children in poor households have working parents who struggle to provide a good life due to low-paying jobs, often with insecure contracts (Topham, 2014). While some may argue that working parents should be able to afford basic necessities, high housing costs often leave little room for other expenses (Butler, 2017).
Affordable Childcare for Working Parents
Providing affordable childcare for families at risk of poverty is crucial, as families with incomes below the poverty line who pay for childcare spend 30% of their income on it (Schulman, 2016). Affordable childcare allows both parents to work, increasing household income and helping families escape poverty. While childcare workers deserve fair compensation, ensuring affordable childcare enables parents to pursue education and better-paying jobs, ultimately benefiting their families and communities.
Conclusion
This essay has explored potential solutions to child poverty in developed countries. While each solution can contribute to alleviating the challenges faced by families, government intervention is crucial. By providing financial support, promoting job security and fair wages, and ensuring affordable childcare, governments can invest in the future of their communities and empower children to thrive.