Effects of Poverty on Child Development

Samantha Plumlee
University of North Texas

Today, many Americans live in poverty or low-income homes due to a large income
inequality. Approximately 22% people children live in poverty in the United States as well as
45% live in low income homes. Studies have been conducted for years of the effects of poverty
on the development on children. The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth studies show that
there are several deficits over children who live in poverty for long periods of time versus those
who live in poverty for a short period of time. Poverty has such a strong correlation to
development because the home environment accounts for one third to one half of development
disadvantages of kids who experience long term poverty. Environment is critical to how a child
learns, grows, and succeeds. Socioeconomic status (SES) is defined as an economic and
sociological combined total measure of a persons work experience and of an individuals or
familys economic and social position in relation to others based on income, education, and
occupation. SES is measured in three categories of high, medium, and low.
Goldstein conducted many tests on children with low SES and found that a large portion
of these children share some things in common. It appears that low birth weight, lead
absorption, anemia, and ear problems are common health problems shared among disadvantaged
children. Low SES children are also more likely to show problems of stress ulcers, respiratory
issues, arthritis, coronary disease, type 2 diabetes, and schizophrenia. Health is affected by SES
because of the environment in which the child is brought up in. Child obesity is common in low
income areas because good, wholesome food is replaced by cheap, fast food. Stress and
respiratory issues can stem from constant worry about money because of working low paying
jobs. Also, not being able to save up money properly and go on vacations or have days off takes
a toll on someone who needs a break from constantly working so they become stressed. Mental
health issues, such as schizophrenia, stem from the environment as well. Mental health issues

can be caused from genetic factors as well but children who grow up in urban areas show more
signs of mental illness. Prenatal stress, drug and alcohol abuse, and poor living conditions
contribute to mental illness and are all common in low SES homes. In London, health care is
equal for everyone unlike in America. The Whitehall studies were conducted in London to see if
income was the main factor in health care among low income households. The studies showed
that even though everyone had access to health care, there was still a difference in health. Poorer
people had more health issues due to drinking, smoking, and lack of exercise. On the contrary,
stress was not a result of income in these studies because parents knew they had health care.
These studies prove that health can still have a direct correlation to income and lifestyle
regardless is health care is freely available or not.

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