Document Type
Panel Presentation
Start Date
20-4-2017 10:45 AM
End Date
20-4-2017 12:00 PM
Keywords
poverty, childhood, education
Biography
I am Shari Holland and majoring in Geography. I work at Pacific Gas & Electric, and in my off time, I enjoy spending time with my dogs, husband and kids.
Major
Geography
Advisor for this project
Professor Anita Walz
Abstract
Throughout time, there has been a gap between those who are rich in their economic means and those less fortunate. Exemplified by the infamous saying, “the rich get richer as the poor get poorer,” some claim that there is a trickling effect, where all the money trickles down to the poor, equalizing the economy. The individuals who are poor have less opportunities, which would decrease chances of success in life. The economic situations of the adults ultimately impact the most vulnerable, the children. Data from childstats.gov was used for this study and pertained to children living in three family situations: single mother, single father, and married couple. Children living in single parent homes and living in family incomes lower than the federal poverty income level were found to have a higher percentage of food scarcity than any other family situations. The study also focused on the relation between the educational attainment of the parents and the educational attainment and achievement of the children. When families are struggling, education would be the lowest priority, and children do not learn well hungry. According to the data, parents that had a lower educational attainment, also had children with low educational attainment, in particular math and reading. Food scarcity, lower economic standing, and lower educational achievements tend to form a vicious cycle that families are stuck in for generations.
Poverty and its effects on food and education in children
Throughout time, there has been a gap between those who are rich in their economic means and those less fortunate. Exemplified by the infamous saying, “the rich get richer as the poor get poorer,” some claim that there is a trickling effect, where all the money trickles down to the poor, equalizing the economy. The individuals who are poor have less opportunities, which would decrease chances of success in life. The economic situations of the adults ultimately impact the most vulnerable, the children. Data from childstats.gov was used for this study and pertained to children living in three family situations: single mother, single father, and married couple. Children living in single parent homes and living in family incomes lower than the federal poverty income level were found to have a higher percentage of food scarcity than any other family situations. The study also focused on the relation between the educational attainment of the parents and the educational attainment and achievement of the children. When families are struggling, education would be the lowest priority, and children do not learn well hungry. According to the data, parents that had a lower educational attainment, also had children with low educational attainment, in particular math and reading. Food scarcity, lower economic standing, and lower educational achievements tend to form a vicious cycle that families are stuck in for generations.
