Passionate Post

I always wonder what the true meaning of growing up in poverty was. I personally thought people living in poverty were the families that were poor and less fortunate and people who can’t provide everyday necessities. I did my research to find the real definition of poverty and what the guidelines are that determined if an individual or families are considered poor. I found that poverty is the state of being extremely poor.

    Poverty is a very important social issue to me, I think it becomes generational and so many people struggle to change their living conditions. People living in poverty have limited resources in which they have a hard time providing for their family. The working poor face several challenges starting with limited income and less time spent at home with children. I think the success rate for children living in poverty is low; most children just want to work to help their families pay bills. While parents are out working trying to support their family several children are left home alone or placed in charge to watch over younger siblings taking on adult responsibilities such as cooking and cleaning.

    Children social environment can have a major impact on their outcome and behavior. When parents are away working children lean towards the community for support and guidance. Families are more prone to drugs and violence in the community. Most people have poor health and rarely see a doctor or dentist. I think every family should have equal opportunities and more resources should be provided to help improve people lifestyle.

    I personally experience growing up in a small 3 bedroom house in a rough neighborhood with an overload of family and friends trying to make ends meet.  I lost several of my family members and friends to the streets in which they stop attending school as early as 8th grade. I know what it feels like to go to sleep with my stomach growling because I gave someone within my home my dinner because they didn’t have enough to eat. I lived in a single parent household where I saw my mom work seven days a week sometimes all day just to bring home a check that wasn’t enough to cover the bills. We were poor but my mom tried her best to cover it up. I made a commitment to myself that I would never be a product of my environment. Everyday I work hard to provide a better lifestyle for my daughter so she can have opportunities that I never had. By doing my research I was able to find information on families living in poverty and the impact it have on children