We hear about the economy all the time, and while its current state will always be a bummer, I’m going to take the time now — as I have several times before — to point out the brighter side of things, for us at least.
Children in the United States have been a portion of the population that has been hit the hardest by our economic crisis, and ignored the most by everyone, including the Daily 49er.
According to the Los Angeles Times, 42 percent of children are currently living in economically struggling households. In California, 44 percent of children are living in poverty.
“In 2010, 11 percent of children had at least one unemployed parent,” said president and chief executive of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Patrick T. McCarthy. “And 4 percent have been affected by a home foreclosure since 2007. That last figure doesn’t reflect the number of children living in rental housing that have been affected by foreclosure, such as when a landlord goes under and has to sell off property, displacing tenants.”
When children grow up in such conditions, behavioral problems are exhibited. In school, they are less motivated and thus less educated. Social problems may become apparent as well. Along with the lack of education, comes the lack of proper health care that children need throughout their development.
Even more, unemployment often results in marital issues. Because of the feeble state of our economy, surely many more children’s parents are filing divorces, pushing more weight onto the younger family members who have a more difficult time understanding what exactly is going on.
Every week we read and write articles complaining about our nation’s, California’s or CSULB’s budget crises, but when do we ever express concern for the children?
We are all in college right now, studying whatever it is we chose to study for four — or probably more — years, and while it is hard to make ends with CSULB’S tuition increases, we should be thankful that we grew up with a good and stable economy. Our schooling, let’s hope, was exactly what we needed, as was our medical attention, and this maybe less likely for some, behavioral problems were not as big of an issue.
Children right now need as much support as us. Earning a degree is getting more and more tough, but at least we have a stable educational background that can somewhat help to support us. So as easy as it will be to read this, feel sympathetic and then soon forget about it, let’s just remember there’s always a brighter side.
Sonia Guillen is a senior journalism major and opinions editor for the Summer 49er.
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for Postings made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for Postings made on this website. Persons commenting agree to the Terms of Use of the website. If Postings do not abide by the Rules of Conduct or Posting Regulations as listed in the Postings Policy, the Daily 49er has all rights to delete Postings as it deems necessary. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech. This site also encourages users to make Postings relevant to the article or other Postings.
