1 in 5 Children Live in Poverty in U.S.
The latest data published by the US Census Bureau shows that 1 in 5, or 21.3%, of children under the age of 18 are living in poverty. 15, 437,000 children in the US under 18 are living in poverty. Poverty rates across the nation were based upon a variety of factors. The official definition of poverty stated that an average family of four is considered poor if they have an income lower than $23,492. These reports are the new basis for statistics of poverty in the US. The CRS states that a family is poor if "their family’s countable money income is below its corresponding poverty threshold.”
Despite these seemingly large numbers child poverty has decreased over 6% since President Lyndon B. Johnson announced the War on Poverty in 1964. But the percentage of impoverished children in 2012 barely changed since the previous year. The lowest poverty rate to be recorded was in 1969, with only a 13.8% child poverty rate. The article also discussed the fact that children living in single-headed female households had the highest probability for poverty, saying 47.2% of people that fit this description were poor, This probability was quite the change from the much lower number of 11.1% of children among married couples are poor.
Even though this is a very depressing statistic, I am not surprised. Since the minimum wage has not increased for a while, more people will fall behind (when inflation is accounted for).
ReplyDeleteI am happy the child poverty rate has been decreasing for the most part, but we have to do better.
I'm definitely glad that child poverty has decreased since President Johnson announced the War on Poverty, but decreasing by only 6% over 50 years isn't that successful in my opinion. I believe there are many different factors that cause this high percentage of child poverty. Obviously living with a single mom is a huge factor, as the statistics show. Over population and the unemployment rate are also huge factors. In my opinion, I don't see the percentage of children living in poverty going down by a significant amount any time soon.
ReplyDeleteAt least the poverty has decreased 6% over the past 50 years. It is better than nothing. Coming out of the recession in 2008 poverty must still be down from them. I think the main factor is easily unemployment.
ReplyDeleteIts hard to raise children when you are a single parent so I can see why children in a single parent household are more likely to be living in poverty than any other people.
ReplyDeleteThe amount of children living in poverty is uncanny. No child deserves to live this way and that is why more benefits should be given to the poor.
ReplyDeleteNo child should go hungry.
ReplyDelete