I found this interview with Dr. Grace to be very informative. There were times in the interview where she would say something that would in a sense sting because I used to relate to what she was saying. She said when living in poverty it sucks the life out of you. That statement was not only a sting but a light bulb also went off in my head because it brought back memories of my mother always being tired and not waiting to do anything after working. I seen this and tried to help out around the house as much as I could. I didn’t realize until now she was always drained because poverty was literally sucking the life out of her. Now when I see her after work she is no longer like that. I did not it shocking to see that we are seeing the highest level of poverty within 20 years. I figured the recession played a role in this percentage. Dr. Grace kind of confirmed it when she began to talk about middle class families not having money to buy food due to the recession. She also confirmed the poverty has a bigger effect on those who are in poverty between birth to eight years of age. This is a very critical time for children. It is not only important that they get a solid foundation in education but health as well.
Resources
“The Effects of Poverty on the Early Childhood Community”
http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/
Temeka,
ReplyDeleteI think too often the cycle of poverty is very hard to break. I know many people who were poor growing up and are now poor adults. The cycle will continue until someone is strong enough to break free. I also agree so much with your feelings from Dr. Grace. My parents worked hard, but we were working poor as they were in such deep debt that we could sometimes go without food or electric for small periods of time. My husband grew up in the same type of household and we have made choices to be sure that our children do not have to experience this hardship. This is not to say we don't struggle as a family of 5 on one income, but our children always have food and electricity and know how hard Daddy works so we can have the things we do.
Nice post!!
Stacy
Temeka,
ReplyDeleteI was also unfortunate to establish contact. I received an email saying they forwarded my info to the higher professionals but then I haven’t received a current email from them yet. From the CHIP website I was struck by not only the struggle for parents to provide a better life for their children but also the highest level of education parents acquire during their lifetime. I was saddened to understand that few children complete or even reach primary school. One factor is not enough food, poor nutrition and as a result the rate of children dying daily. I thought about my times of struggle but my situation does not even come close to what these children experience every day. On a positive note I’m grateful to see organizations working hard to slowly stop the poverty generation cycle.
Thank you for your insight
Temeka,
ReplyDeleteDr. Grace talking about poverty "sucking the life out of individuals" also resonated with me. Until that comment, I did not think of poverty for families in such a way. As I look at myself now, I certainly see how that could be. Not that I am living in poverty, but how draining work, school, and keeping up with a family can be and how when I am finished with all of that, I don't have the energy to do anything else. So having to do all of that, plus living in poverty is a tremendous burden. I too viewed the CHIP website and found it disheartening what families will go without just so that their children can have a better education so they have a better life in the future.
Amanda
Tameka,
ReplyDeleteI do not agree with the statement that “today’s poor children are all too often tomorrow’s poor parents.” I believe that children who grew up in poverty tend to want a better life than they had as a child. And those that follow the pattern of their childhood, well it’s their choice. Sad to say, but those girls you spoke about, made that choice. I say this from personal experience because I grew up in poverty and I knew that when I grew up that was not the kind of life I wanted, so I worked very hard and today my life is proof of that hard work. Poverty does drain you of all your energy and as you saw in your mom and Kudos to you for helping her out. Again it doesn’t shock me that our middle class families are living at the poverty level. I also believe like you do, that the recession is the cause of the high poverty rate.