Short Term

The short term effect of poverty are that children at an increased risk of under-nutrition and obesity due to food insecurity (Black and Engle, 2008). Healthy food such as fresh vegetables and fruit are more expensive than some other processed foods and some families can not afford them. If the parent is a single parent, they may have to work to provide for the family which means they may not cook often. 1 in 3 single mothers are living in poverty which makes an already difficult situation much more difficult. Children and teens have to deal with the mental and emotional toll of living in poverty. The children may be insecure of themselves due to not having “enough” or having similar items as their peers . This can result in the child becoming more withdrawn and not will to speak up in classes. This only increases their feelings of powerlessness and concern for their futures. Students will often act out or get angry at their circumstances and project that angry in the classroom (Childfund).

Engle, P.L. and Black, M.M. (2008), The Effect of Poverty on Child Development and Educational Outcomes. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1136: 243-256

Long Term

Research also suggests that family behavior influences the effects of poverty on the children. Children’s development is often influenced by the parents and the amount of simulation the child receives plays a role in their ability to learning and respond to stimulus. Lower income families are more likely to have a limited education which would hinder their ability to provide stimulating environments to their children. This can also have a long term effect on the child’s school readiness. Certain competencies and learning goals are expected in certain grades and if students are not being stimulated with information they may not be ready for the next grade level(Black and Engle, 2008). Impoverished students are more likely to lag behind their peers from higher income families, in their academics and socially (Taylor,2017). As mentioned above in the short term effect of a student falling behind in school has lasting effects as well. Children that grow up in poverty will complete fewer years of school and as a result will earn much lower income than their peers (Childfund).