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Effects of Poverty, Hunger, and Homelessness on Children and Youth


Introduction
The nations economic crisis has deeply affected the lives of millions of Americans. Skyrocketing foreclosures and job layoffs have pulled the rug out from under many families, particularly those living in low-income communities. Deepening poverty is inextricably linked with rising levels of homelessness and food insecurity/hunger for many Americans and children are particularly affected by these conditions. Find out below a summary of the myriad effects of poverty, homelessness, and hunger on children and youth. Various resources (from APA and other organizations) have also been listed that provide information and tools on ways to fight poverty in America. For more information on APAs work on issues surrounding socioeconomic status, please see the Office of Socioeconomic Status

Homelessness
Who are homeless children and youth in America?
An estimated 2.3 to 3.5 million Americans experience homelessness at least once a year. Homelessness affects people of all ages, geographic areas, occupations, and ethnicities, but occurs disproportionately among people of color. Access to permanent and adequate shelter is a basic human need; however, the ongoing economic downturn (composed of the foreclosure crisis, spiking unemployment, worsening poverty rates, and inadequate low-cost housing) is likely to increase rates of homelessness. A survey of school districts in fall 2008 reported increases in the number of homeless students in the classroom, largely due to the economic downturn and foreclosure crisis; this increase builds on previous increases in homeless students in 2006 and 2007. People experiencing homelessness are comprised of three groups; single adults, unaccompanied youth, and families with children. Unaccompanied youth (sometimes referred to as runaway youth) may number between 575,000 to 1.6 million annually and typically range from ages 16 to 22. Family conflict is the primary cause of their homelessness with 46% having experienced abuse and an estimated 20-40% identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered (GLBT). Families with children comprise a third of the homeless population and are typically comprised of a single mother in her late twenties with two young children. It is estimated that 1 in 50 (1.5 million) of Americas children fall within this category and that approximately 650,000 are below age 6. African American (47%) and Native American (2%) children are disproportionately represented demographically among homeless children compared with White (38%) and Hispanic (13%) children. Homeless single mothers often have histories of violent victimization with over one third having post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and over half experiencing major depression while homeless. An estimated 41 percent have developed dependency on alcohol and drugs and are often in poor physical health. Maternal depression and parental substance abuse has a series of negative outcomes for children.

What are the risk factors for homelessness in children and youth?
Extreme poverty is the strongest predictor of homelessness for families. These families are often forced to choose between housing and other necessities for their survival. 11% of American children living in poverty are homeless. Female-headed households (particularly by women with limited education and job skills) are also particularly vulnerable. The current economic climate has made the labor market even less hospitable as many of them do not have more than a high school diploma or GED. Teen parents are also particularly at risk of homelessness as they often lack the education and income of adults who become parents. Lack of affordable housing is also a risk factor for homelessness, particularly for families who devote more than 50% of household income to paying rent or those who experience a foreclosure. Foreclosures affect vulnerable tenants as well as homeowners who are delinquent in their mortgage payments.

Substance abusing or physically violent parents and stepparents are the major drivers of homelessness in runaway youth, particularly for those who identify as GLBT.

What are the outcomes of homelessness for children and youth?


Homelessness has particularly adverse effects on children and youth including hunger, poor physical and mental health, and missed educational opportunities. Homeless children lack stability in their lives with 97% having moved at least once on an annual basis, which leads to disruptions in schooling and negatively impacts academic achievement. Schooling for homeless children is often interrupted and delayed, with homeless children twice as likely to have a learning disability, repeat a grade, or to be suspended from school. Homelessness and hunger are closely intertwined. Homeless children are twice as likely to experience hunger as their non-homeless peers. Hunger has a series of negative effects on the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of children. A quarter of homeless children have witnessed violence and 22% have been separated from their families. Exposure to violence can cause a number of psychosocial difficulties for children both emotionally (depression, anxiety, withdrawal) and behaviorally (aggression, acting out). Half of school age homeless children experience problems with depression and anxiety and one in five homeless preschoolers have emotional problems that require professional care. Homelessness is linked to poor physical health for children including low birth weight, malnutrition, ear infections, exposure to environmental toxins, and chronic illness (e.g. asthma). Homeless children also are less likely to have adequate access to medical and dental care. Unaccompanied youth are often more likely to grapple with mental health (depression, anxiety, and PTSD) and substance abuse problems. Many runaway youth engage in sexually risky behaviors (sometimes for their own survival), which places them at risk of HIV, other STDs, and unintended pregnancies. Also, emerging research has shown that GLBT homeless youth are 7 times more likely to be victims of violent crime.

Resources on Homelessness
APA Resources CYF News Winter 2009 Homeless and Runaway Youth (PDF, 5.2MB) Healthy Lesbian Gay Bisexual Students Project Resolution on Homelessness External Resources National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth National Center on Family Homelessness The Department of Housing and Urban Development has a number of resources: Homeless Assistance Resources for Homeless Persons

Sources
Duffield, B. & Lovell, P. (2008). The economic crisis hits home: The unfolding increase in child and youth homelessness. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth & First Focus. Retrieved online (PDF, 476KB). Mallett, S., & Rosenthal, D. (2009). Physically violent mothers are a reason for young people's leaving home. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 24(7), 1165-1174. National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (2009). Facts about homeless education. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved online. National Center on Family Homelessness (2009). Americas youngest outcasts: State report card on child homelessness. Newton, MA: Author. Retrieved online (PDF, 20MB). National Child Traumatic Stress Network (2005). Facts on trauma and homeless children. Washington, DC: National Child Traumatic Stress Network, Homelessness and Extreme Poverty Working Group. Retrieved online (PDF, 3.6MB). National Child Traumatic Stress Network (2007). Trauma among homeless youth. Culture and Trauma Brief, 2(1), 1-7. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved online (PDF, 136KB

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