The Affects of the Recession on Children
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Hard economic times are hitting the United States' youngest citizens, threatening to roll back decades worth of gains in health, safety and education, according to a report released on Monday.
It suggests the country's most severe recession in a generation, which has cost more than 5 million American jobs since it began in late 2007, is having a drastic impact on children.
"Our projections show that virtually all the progress made in family economic well-being since 1975 will be wiped out," Ken Land of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and colleagues wrote in 2009 Child Well-Being Index and Special Focus Report.
The annual report, sponsored by the Foundation for Child Development, a private child advocacy group, measures economic, health, safety and social factors affecting children and teens.
Based on current estimates, the report projects that the current recession will pare median annual family incomes back to $55,700 by 2010, down from $59,200 in 2007.
Households run by single women will see their annual incomes fall to $23,000 in 2010, down from $24,950 in 2007.
But the steepest drop will be among single households headed by men, where median annual family income is expected to drop to $33,300 in 2010, from $38,100 in 2007.
These declines in family income will affect many other aspects of life for children in America.
"Many families that have built a life around two-earner incomes now have one income or perhaps no income, so children in those families are being impacted by the current economic environment," Land said in a telephone interview.
He said the percentage of children in poverty will rise to 21 percent in 2010, up from about 17 percent in 2006.
BLACK, LATINO CHILDREN AFFECTED MOST
The researchers said the housing crisis will disrupt social relationships for children, as job losses cause families to uproot in search of work and less-costly housing. Many families are at greater risk of homelessness.
Children's health also will suffer, they said.
They foresee increases in an already growing obesity epidemic as parents turn to cheap fast food to feed their families.
One bright spot, they said, is the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which will at least ensure that many poor children get needed health care.
Based on trends in prior recessions, they said rates of violent crime will likely rise, hurt by police force cuts and cuts in juvenile crime prevention programs.
They also predict fewer children will be taking part in early childhood education programs, which are known to raise student test scores.
Black and Latino children, whose communities tend to be more sensitive to economic fluctuations, will be affected most by these changes.
"When the economy is doing well, their well-being gains are more dramatic. When the economy slumps, they are harder hit than their white counterparts because more children of color live in poverty to begin with," Ruby Takanishi, president of the foundation, said in a statement.
This is so ridiculous!! All of these families that are already struggling to make ends meet as it is, now by next year they will be taking major pay cuts that they can't afford to take. The worst part is that children will be affected in an enormous way. So what does the government plan to do about this? I'm not a parent myself, but I have first hand seen how upsetting it is for a parent not to be capable of providing for their child. Healthcare has always been an issue, but it seems like things are becoming far worse before they are getting better. It's a shame that a child's health will have to suffer for the government's mistakes with our economy. But yet, they want us to bail out all of these auto dealerships and financial institutions? Seriously, what kind of crack are they smoking??!!!! Instead of giving these CEOs and Presidents of these Fortune 500 companies all these million dollar bonuses so they can fly in their private jets and vacation on lavish islands how about they take that money and make better use of it? Give it to these struggling families who have to stretch the pennies to put food on the table. What about giving it to those families who are one mortgage payment short of being homeless?? What about those parents with very ill children, but can't afford to get the treatment needed because healthcare costs an arm and two legs?? What about those elderly people who can't work and are on a very small fixed income?? You have to forgive me. I'm a bit on the pissed off side right now. But this is the hood so it's okay. I mean don't get me wrong. There's nothing wrong with having private jets and vacationing on lavish islands, but not at a time like we're in now. The middle class demographic is on the verge of being...well wiped out I guess you can say. So far, in my opinion, the government's answers to everything have been insufficient and I think they need to explore different avenues other than what has been done. Obviously what's been done hasn't worked. I know things aren't going to change overnight, but they need to get a move on because these children are suffering in an unimaginable way. Just my thoughts.
Comment
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Comment by Lac on June 3, 2009 at 3:18am -
Imagine growing up living with different people all the time. One minute you are at grandma's, then aunties, then the play-play aunties, etc., Imagine having to move every single year as a child and attending eleven different schools. Imagine hearing mental and physical abuse in the home frequently during the week as it unfolds down to you as a child.
Now imagine the kids around you and their lives. Nice clothes, plenty of food, and great relationship with their families.
Imagine the recession having NOTHING to do with this problem. This is an everyday thing with children. This is parents either not knowing how to be parents, not ready to being a parent, not wanting to be a parent, and not doing whats responsible as a parent.
Yes the recession can affect quite a few kids, but truth is majority were affected way before the recession. By the way, that child was me and quite a few of the other kids around me growing up.
My two. Peace.
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Young, Black, and Fabulous
"BACK" AT IT: Former "PORN" Star Montana Fishburne's IMPROMPTU Beach STRIPTEASE
Montana Fishburne, the daughter of actor Laurence Fishburne has surfaced for the first time since her famed-descent into the world of porn. See her flaunt her bikini body inside...
Remember Montana Fishburne? She's the daughter of famed actor Laurence Fishburne who did a stint in the porn world under the name "Chippy D". Her 2010 video Montana Fishburne: An A-List Daughter Makes her XXX Debut was released to national fanfare and went on to become a bestseller.
Though we haven't seen or heard from Montana since then, she was "spotted" walking her dogs on the beach in Santa Monica , CA yesterday.
Once Montana noticed that she'd caught the eye of a photographer, she starting "playing it up for the camera" and removed her shirt and pants.
She stripped down to her bikini (and by bikini we mean bra and panties) and we have to admit...she looks good.
We don't know if this "impromptu" strip down was planned or not, but Montana sure does love the attention! Maybe she's ready to return to the business? But we just hope this chile sVes her daddy some heartache and doesn't do porn again.
Photos via:Fame
SPEAK ON IT: Would Dr. Dre's $70 Million DONATION Been BETTER SUITED For An HBCU?
Since his $70 Million donation to USC went public, some folks have questioned why Dr. Dre didn't make a donation to a struggling HBCU. Speak On It inside...
In a previous post, we told you about music mogul Dr. Dre teaming with Jimmy Iovine to donate $70 Million dollars to the University of Southern California to create the Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation. And we praised him for doing so. But not everyone is happy about it.
In an Op-Ed for the LA Times, Walter M. Kimbrough, the President of Dillard University was particularly vocal and questioned if Dr. Dre could have or should have made a donation to an HBCU. He wrote,
"What if Dre had given $35 million — his half of the USC gift and about 10% of his wealth, according to a Forbes estimate — to an institution that enrolls the very people who supported his career from the beginning? An institution where the majority of students are low-income? A place where $35 million would represent a truly transformational gift? Why didn't Dr. Dre give it to a black college?"
He added,
"In 2011, the National Science Foundation noted that black colleges are a major source of scientists and engineers. In fact, the top five producers of blacks who go on to earn science, technology, engineering and math graduate degrees are black colleges, as are 20 of the top 50. Once you add in the musical legacy of black colleges' choirs and marching bands, they are the perfect locations for an academy like this.
In the end, though, this is his money, and endowing a program geographically nearby, where he can have ongoing input and contact, makes sense. I do hope it will recruit and enroll a diverse class of students and not become some enclave for the already privileged student body there."
What do you think of Dr. Kimbrough's statement? Would Dr. Dre's donation have been better suited for an HBCU in need? Or is education simply education, esp. since plenty of kids everywhere support and like hip hop.
SPEAK ON IT!
Ciara's "I'm Out" FEATURING Nicki Minaj + Christopher Wallace's DAUGHTER T'yanna LAUNCHES "Notoriuss" Clothing LINE
Ciara's latest single, "I'm Out" featuring Nicki Minaj has been released. Listen to the new song inside and see gear from T'yanna Wallace's "Notoriuss" clothing line...
Following their "I'm Legit" collaboration, pop starlet Ciara has re-loaded with rapper Nicki Minaj for her latest song, "I'm Out." The new single, which follows "Body Party", will appear on the upcoming disc Ciara (July 9th).
The bass-heavy club banger featuring Ciara singing ditching her boyfriend and partying around town with her girlfriends. She spoke to MTV News about the rhyme Nicki laid for the track saying,
"The energy of the record is so dope, and it's really for the ladies, and Nicki she just killed the verse. She literally murdered it, like she got that throw-back, that thing that she does that's so special. She went in."
While Ciara preps for the album release, she revealed that she'll promote Ciara with a full tour.
Listen "I'm Out" here:
And in retail news....
T'yanna Wallace, the daughter of the late Notorius B.I.G. has launched a new clothing line in honor of her slain dad, "Notoriuss". The 19-year-old PENN State student told XXL that she is studying fashion and hopes to resurrect her father’s Brooklyn Mint clothing line in the future.
Congrats T'yanna.
Photos via Notoriuss Clothing
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