Child Poverty in the United

Child Poverty in the United States With the United States being the richest nation in the world, it seems strange that it should have any children living below the poverty line. Yet this problem has actually been quite widespread in this country, even before the current financial crisis started. In fact, the number of children living below the poverty line in the United States increased by 15% from 2000 to 2007, during the "bubble" of prosperity that came before the current crisis (National Center for Children in Poverty, 2009).

This makes the United States number one in the rate of child poverty among the twenty-one most affluent nations (Hearts & Minds, 2007). Given certain circumstances of both government and economic realities, this number is likely to grow. One of the main reasons there is so much poverty facing children is the lack of coherent, efficient and sufficient welfare program in this country. With more realistic government intervention and aid, many families and their children would not be forced tl live in and contend with poverty.

This would require higher taxes, but a more socially conscious reallocation of resources could accomplish much of what needs to occur. The reson the United States has such a high poverty level is that we also have the lowest taxes and the fewest and most under-funded social programs. Companies are encouraged to make as much money as they can without any responsibility for their employees or their employees families, and this mentality is unique.

The idea of a common social responsibility needs to be instilled in Americans and our government; otherwise the poverty level of children and their parents alike is likely to continue to rise. The mentality of total individual responsibility and maximizing profits is what causes most of the poverty in the country, insofar as it is the underlying philosophy behind many policy decisions. This also has other even more indirect effects.

Many low-income workers cannot afford the basic necessities for life, and they area also without things like health insurance and many other benefits that other higher wage workers expect (Hearts & Minds, 2007). This usually ends up costing them even more money, both in unpaid days off of work and in medical bills, not to mention dramatically reducing the quality of life.

Children that grow up in such conditions are also far less likely to finish high school, let alone o to college and get better-paying jobs, thus perpetuating the problem (National Center for Children in Poverty, 2009). The physical and economic realities brought on by this country's philosophy of self-sufficiency and the right to unfettered personal gain are devastating to a growing portion of our citizens, and these effects will also hit the rest of the economy.

Poverty is a burden for the rest of society, too, and it is one that is often unforeseen and unaccounted for, making it that much more impossible to effectively handle. It is difficult to determine what to do about the poverty in this country, especially as it faces children. The philosophy of this country and its government must be changed.