Childhood Poverty Research Paper

Words: 1665
Pages: 7

Childhood Poverty

Emily Hathaway Mount West Community and Technical College Psych 211: Child Development Professor Sean Hughes April 21, 2024

Abstract This paper delves into the effects of poverty on children's development from prenatal stages to adolescence. Poverty causes various stress factors for pregnant women, such as malnourishment, lack of healthcare, and domestic violence, which can affect prenatal development. Infants born in impoverished environments may suffer from malnutrition, exposure to toxins, and violence, leading to long-term developmental issues. Childhood poverty can hinder the educational process and basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter, leading to mental health problems and low academic performance.
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It's essential to understand the significance of addressing poverty to ensure healthy growth and development across all stages of human life. Highlighting the need for comprehensive support systems and interventions to break the cycle of poverty and its adverse effects on individuals and society.

Prenatal Development

Pregnancy can be an extremely challenging time, especially if it is unplanned or occurs during a financial crisis. Women who become pregnant often face stressors such as food shortages, domestic violence, poverty, and overall stress. These stressors can lead to complications during the prenatal development of the fetus, potentially causing damage to the baby's brain and overall development. As the fetus is connected to the mother, any stress that the mother experiences can also affect the baby, leaving them at risk of developing stress-related problems that can be either short-term or long-term (National Library of Medicine, 2013). Pregnancy can be challenging, especially for women facing poverty and poor health. Malnourishment is a common issue among such women, putting both the mother and the baby at risk of future health
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n.d. - n.d. - n.d. Effects of poverty, hunger and homelessness on children and youth. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/socioeconomic-status/poverty-hunger-homelessness-children Colette. 2017 - September 13th, 2017. Children in low-income families exhibit poorer cognitive development as early as age one. Children in Low-Income Families Exhibit Poorer Cognitive Development as Early as Age One. https://policylab.chop.edu/press-releases/children-low-income-families-exhibit-poorer-cognitive-development-early-age-one Colette. 2023, February 22nd, 2018. How early is the early? Poverty’s effects on infant development. How Early is Early to Apply? Poverty’s Effects on Infant Development. https://policylab.chop.edu/blog/how-early-early-poverty%E2%80%99s-effects-infant-development Coussons-Read, M. E. (2013, June). Effects of prenatal stress on pregnancy and human development: mechanisms and pathways. Obstetric medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5052760/ DeJoseph, M. L., Sifre, R. D., Raver, C. C., Blair, C. B., & Berry, D. (2021). Capturing Environmental Dimensions of Adversity and Resources in the Context of Poverty Across Infancy Through Early Adolescence: A Moderated Nonlinear Factor Model. Child Development, 92(4), e457–e475. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13504 Effects of poverty on child development. Compassion. A. n.d. - n.d. - n.d.