Researchers have found that infants from low-income families are exposed to a range of environmental disadvantages beginning at birth. These factors may contribute to impaired cognitive and language development. In a recent study, Policy Lab, in collaboration with the Division of Neonatology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, showed that poverty affects child development from an early age. In fact, some developmental problems in children are associated with poverty.
The relationship between wealth and child development is still unresolved
The findings showed that there was a greater link between wealth and reading ability in low-income children than between wealth and school achievement. However, the relationship between wealth and child development remains unsolved. Research in this area should examine family processes, including parental investment and stress. Such moderating factors may have a role in understanding the effects of wealth on child development. The literature also highlights racial disparities in debt avoidance and wealth accumulation.
The effects of poverty hinder a child’s development
One study looked at multiple aspects of the environment of disadvantaged children. This included the mother’s income, neighborhood, and toys. Compared to other families, low-income families had fewer toys and were more likely to experience high levels of stress and food insecurity. The mothers of these children had lower scores on measures of verbal and visual-spatial development. The researchers also found a higher incidence of concentrated neighborhood disadvantage in low-income families, which further underlines the importance of addressing family resources and the impact of poverty on child development.
Children in low-income families experience high levels of stress and food insecurity
The study examined multiple aspects of the family, neighborhood, and maternal environment. The results found that children from low-income families experienced higher stress, food insecurity, and stress at birth were less likely to have age-appropriate toys and fewer child-centered households. In addition, the low-income mothers had lower verbal and visual-spatial skills, which were associated with poor health outcomes. Nevertheless, the study did not conclude that a link exists between poverty and good child outcomes.
Income inequality widens social divisions
In fact, there are several reasons for this inequality. In the United States, income inequality has widened the social divide. While the poorest children’s educational performance is often poorer than their peers, they have more access to high-quality public services. Those who live in low-income households have fewer resources to provide for their children’s needs. This is a major challenge that requires addressing the problems in low-income families.
Conclusion
Some parents in low-income families have a greater influence than their counterparts in the same socio-economic group. This is especially true of the fathers of low-income children. The father’s role in a child’s life may be the most influential. The mother’s role in this regard is also essential. Nonetheless, fathers often find it difficult to make a positive impact on their children in spite of their lowered incomes.
