Discussion of factors that contribute to the high childpoverty percentage among single mother homes, families whose parents' employment is non-standardized, immigrants, visible minorities, Aboriginals and children with disabilities.
Abstract This paper examines the grave issue concerning childpoverty that exists in Canada, as 15.6% of Canadian children are currently living below the poverty line. Within the paper, certain social groups are examined that have a high representation of childpoverty. Among these are single mother homes, families whose parents' employment is non-standardized, immigrants, visible minorities, Aboriginals, and children with disabilities. For each of these social groups, there is an explanation of the factors that led the particular group to have a high childpoverty percentage.
From the Paper "1,065,000 children, or nearly one in six of Canada's children remain in poverty. Following five straight years of decline, in 2002, there was a jump in the child poverty rate, recorded as 15.6% (StatsCan). Although the constant decline in the previous years was seen as a positive step and possibly a continuing trend, this notion was quickly discarded once the level jumped in the opposite direction than anticipated. In order to properly understand the issue concerning child poverty, one must examine what social groups are mostly affected by poverty and the reasons and factors that influence a household income level, which determines who lives under the poverty line. Exposing itself to one third of children in Canada for at least one year, child poverty is a grave and serious issue within our nation. Although it is not especially restricted to, child poverty is largely represented among certain social groups, such as those raised by a female sole parent or parents whose employment is non-standardized, immigrants, visible minorities, Aboriginals, and children with disability."
Tags: aboriginals, child, children, classes, disabilities, families, groups, immigrants, kids, minorities, mothers, non, poverty, single, social, societal, standardized, visible, welfare, work
Abstract The paper discusses Canada's problem with poverty in spite of a generally strong economy and social programs to offer aid to those below a certain economic level. The paper discusses how a focus on childpoverty is beneficial for families and contributes to a reduction in poverty and other social problems for the next generations. The paper points out that policies such as reducing taxes that do not address the question of childpoverty, might be politically beneficial but are essentially short-sighted.
From the Paper "The House of Commons in 1989 determined to find a way to eliminate poverty among Canadian children by the year 2000, but this has not been achieved. Instead, it has been shown that some 1.2 million children, or one in six, live in poverty today. A 2006 report shows that the issue is both a national and a provincial problem, with rates of poverty varying from one province to the next because of different public policies on income security and affordable housing. However, the current data shows that "no province has yet reduced poverty to a single digit figure as UNICEF challenged Canada to do" (Campaign 2000 2). Quebec is the only province showing a steady decline in child poverty since 1997, which is attributed "in part to a package of family support benefits implemented in 1997 including
rapid expansion of affordable early learning and child care services, an expanded child benefit and enhanced parental leave" (Campaign 2000 2)."
Abstract The paper relates that childpoverty, high school education and health insurance are widely recognized as the standard indicators upon which the social health of a country is measured. The paper reveals that all the above statistic indices are unfavorable in the case of Arizona. The paper provides a brief overview of childhood poverty and the current statistics for Arizona. The paper analyzes the social factors that contribute to childpoverty and looks at the growing social problem of drug abuse. The paper contends that alleviating childhood poverty should not just be a slogan, but a high priority issue.
Outline:
Thesis
Introduction
Arizona: Childhood Poverty (Statistics)
Poverty and Drugs
Other Social Indicators
Conclusion
From the Paper "The United States is undoubtedly one of the best-developed nations in the world. Equal is its strategic might with its military presence in innumerable countries across the world. Amidst all these achievements and high standard of life style that the nation enjoys, it seems ironic that the US also bears the dishonour of being the worst among developed nations when it comes to the number of children affected by poverty. Children are the future of any nation and hence their proper overall development is of utmost importance. Nationwide, Arizona alongside Louisiana and Mississippi continues to suffer from high child poverty rates with disturbing consequences for the youth."
Abstract The paper explores the Canadian social model in order to understand how it can reach the higher standards of the Nordic nations, namely, the nations of Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. The paper discusses the history of the fight against childpoverty in Canada and shows how the Nordic nations and Canada hold different views on what constitutes childpoverty. The paper highlights how the two systems differ because of profound differences in social values.
Outline:
Introduction
The Canadian Background to the Fight against ChildPoverty Approaches and Programs: Nordic vs. Canadian
Conclusion
From the Paper "Child poverty is a major issue as it speaks to the well-being of future generations. Defined narrowly, the problem consists of children living in materially-deprived circumstances. The traditional definition; however, has been expanded by the United Nations and many other groups to include a variety of factors that are believed to relate, in some measure, to general welfare, material, physical, emotional, and mental. According to this measure of child poverty, many economically advanced nations suffer from serious deficiencies in the way in which children are cared for and raised. Canada is no exception to this rule. Despite considerable spending in the areas of financial assistance, education, and health, and the encouragement of positive family and peer relationships, many children suffer considerable poverty when compared to members of the same age cohorts in countries such as the Netherlands and Sweden."
Abstract This paper explains that Canada does not provide child care allowing for the full employment of parents and, notably, working mothers who make up a large proportion of adults responsible for maintaining viable households. The author points out that the issues of childcare pertain not only to childpoverty but also to matters that indicate the need for a national childcare directive. The paper relates that the 2007 Canadian Universal Child Care Benefit is a step forwards in aiding families with childcare expenses and promoting daycare expansion; however it does not promise practical help for families who are struggling. The author states that more poor Canadian mothers are moving to low income, ghettoized areas, which more often give access to subsidized child care facilities but at a price of exposure to crime and criminality.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Universality as Policy Defect
Who can Afford Childcare?
Assumptions to do with Mothers
'Working Class Child Care'
Observations of Social Welfare Research
Conclusion
From the Paper "Critics note that Denmark's policy addresses a small territory and a population below 6 millions yet the model of compulsory facilities seems a fine starting place for what might occur in the Canadian provinces to follow the example of Quebec. In general, one wishes effort was made to explore examples around the world and the costs and benefits of programs encouraging the rise of daycare facilities, programs to make care affordable and all manner of bridges to help unemployed or low income parents to achieve both needed daycare and employment, along with affordable housing, towards a more constructive solution to socioeconomic problems than what is now seen in Canada."
Abstract This paper cites numerous studies detailing the social and economic consequences of childpoverty in America. The paper looks at the long-term effects of childpoverty, its primary causes, the failure of government policies to address the problem, and some measures the government can implement to reduce the childpoverty rate. The paper also looks at how high immigration rates tend to increase the childpoverty rate and immigration policies put into effect in an effort to stem the rising tide of immigrants.
From the Paper "Studies show that child poverty has been increasing at an alarming rate in the last decade. In 1994, 15.3 million children, or 21.8% of all Americans, were poor (Lichter 1997) and that, although children constituted only 26.7% of the population, 40.1% of all poor persons in the US were children (US Bureau of Census 1996 as qtd in Lichter). These rising poverty rates are used by government agencies in determining the criteria for eligibility in social insurance programs and public assistance interventions developed by these government agencies. And, according to these criteria, the economic well-being of American children is on a downtrend, which indicates that tomorrow's adults will be less economically adjusted than adults today and that the future of today's children is materially and psycho-emotionally less promising (Lichter)."
Abstract Despite years of implementation of social policies, there are still many thousands of Canadians who suffer from poverty and homelessness. This literature review examines the literature that deals with the problem of poverty and homelessness in Canada, as well as the literature that deals with pertinent social policies.
Abstract This paper examines a number of issues involving the poverty of children in the UK. First, the author examines statistics of poverty and its immediate consequences. Then the paper points out possible long-term consequences of children raised in poverty, such as health and education. Also considered are the causes of poverty. A study of the city of Derry and its children living in poverty is a focal point of the paper. The paper concludes citing the growing gap between those with viable incomes and those living in dire circumstances.
From the Paper "According to the Government, joblessness is the primary cause of poverty, thus helping people into the employment arena is central to its anti-poverty strategy (Tackling). Rather than targeting unemployment, the Government has targeted "joblessness,' with policies designed "not to create shops, but to influence who gets them and how well off people will be in work" (Tackling). The two key themes in the Government's active labor market policy are individualization of support to help people into work and the use of compulsion (Tackling). However, the Government has "introduced the toughest benefit penalties ever faced by unemployed people, and the extension of compulsion could distort an undermine the effectiveness of employment services" (Tackling). "
Abstract This paper presents an analysis of reasons why children live in poverty, citing parental lack of education as a primary cause. The paper also offers solutions to childpoverty, including improved education for parents, self-esteem and better employment opportunities.
Abstract The paper discusses the article, "Children's Ordinary Resurrections: Hope Held Hostage" and discusses how Kozol's description of the children living in South Bronx is similar to the conditions of other areas of the United States with many children living in poverty and/or homeless. The paper explains that this affects the education of these children leaving a hopeless situation for them.
From the Paper ""An estimated one million children in the United States experience homelessness in a given year," while other people live in a mansion and drive a fancy car (Rafferty 70). J. Kozol discusses his personal experiences with children living in poverty and how it affects these children in his article called, "Children's Ordinary Resurrections: Hope Held Hostage." Kozol writes about a community in South Bronx, New York where the community mainly consists of African Americans and Hispanics with only 1 percent of the people being white. Kozol's description of the children living in South Bronx is similar to the conditions of other areas of the United States with many children living in poverty and/or homeless, which affects the education of these children, leaving a hopeless situation for them."
Abstract The paper reveals that poverty is a serious problem not only in faraway, developing countries, but even in Canada. The paper discusses the problems inherent in Canadians "fostering" a far-away child that makes them believe they are doing something about childpoverty. The paper maintains that this situation needs to be understood within a global and national context and policies need to be evolved that truly address it. The paper concludes that the critical analysis of policy issues and social problems such as poverty is a crucial part of social work education.
From the Paper "At almost any time of the day or night, one can find images of starving children on a Canadian television channel. These often horrifying images always depict children in developing countries, and are intended to elicit charitable donations. Often they succeed in this. I once heard an acquaintance proudly announcing that she had just "fostered" a child. By this she meant that she had made a phone call, and henceforth would be donating $22 per month to one of these charities. What an easy way to salve one's conscience - and in future, she can rapidly skip past those channels with a clear conscience. Even those who have not "fostered" a child tend to skip rapidly past those canals, averting their eyes from the fly-infested, emaciated faces with their big blank eyes. On the one hand, this represents how the proliferation of these images has desensitized viewers to poverty. On the other hand, the fact that people can so lightly "foster" a far-away child that one will never see, and by so doing believe they are "doing something" about child poverty, is disturbing on many levels."
Tags: welfare, globalization, developing, countries, foster, children
Abstract This four page paper examines social inequality and poverty in Canada. The paper suggests that poverty and social inequality have always existed in human societies, for they are the inevitable consequences of materialism, prejudice, and economic injustice. The paper goes on to suggest that the persistence of poverty and social inequality in Canada demonstrates that even in advanced, industrialized, democratic societies, many people continue to be victimized by powerful economic, political, and social forces beyond their control.
From the Paper "Poverty and Social Inequality in Canada: An Analysis Tragically, poverty and social inequality have always existed in human societies, for they are the inevitable consequences of materialism, prejudice, and economic injustice. The persistence of poverty and social inequality in Canada demonstrates that even in advanced, industrialized, democratic societies, many people continue to be victimized by alliances between the government and powerful business interests. According to Canadian census data collected and analyzed by researchers such as Picot and Myles (2005) there is a widening gap between rich and poor in Canada, and a sharp increase in the number of working people who earn less than twenty-thousand dollars a year."
Abstract This paper discusses the problem of homelessness in Canada. The paper reveals that, although Canada's economy is growing, the problem of homelessness is increasing too. According to the paper, the root problem of homelessness is poverty and the issues accompanying poverty that have gone unaddressed in society by the government and others within society. The paper contends that ultimately, there must be a determined development of chances for society to earn a fit income that will return families to self-supporting and productive lives.
Outline:
Introduction
Homelessness No Longer Confined to Poor Nations
Canadian Economy is Growing and So Is Homelessness
Poverty Number One Cause of Homelessness in Canada Homelessness is Costly to Canada as a Whole
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "Laird states that while the United States and UK "have already launched major initiative son homelessness in recent years" unfortunately, Canada has not. Furthermore, Canada has failed in addressing other key issues in society such as: (1) Poverty; (2) Urban development; and (3) Housing security. (Laird, 2007; p. 6) However, it must be stressed that Canada has not deliberately turned a blind eye toward this condition through having intentionally failed to address these issues but nevertheless, the omission and neglect of addressing this issue has resulted in a crisis in the country of Canada. The government in Canada did make attempts, in the fashion of 'too little, too late' to "contain the rapid growth of homelessness with homeless shelters and other short-term crisis-based services." (Laird, 2007; p.,6) This is a failed strategy according to Laird (2007); Huff (2006); Hargrave (2005); Pollack (2008)."
Abstract This paper discusses the need for a national subsidized day care program to aid working mothers which will also ensure that entire salaries do not just cover day care expenses. As the number of working mothers increases, the number of available day care positions in Canada dramatically decreases and this impedes on the quality and price of care available. It examines the existing day care options and includes a table comparing child care costs in different regions of the country.
From the Paper "During the past two decades, it has been quite effective that a national day care program is in high demand for many parents. However, many critics of the program are willing to confidently fight the system. Due to supporters if the traditional family, such as Kids First, a Calgary-based parents group with 5,000 members across the country, the Alberta government reduced monthly subsidies for individual day care expenditures from $256 to $50. Kids First members and supporters claim day care subsidies are prejudiced to stay-at-home parents (Chisholm & Jenish, 1993). Additionally, Kids First initiated a judicial challenge opposing the child care expense deduction of a maximum $4,000 per child (Friendly & Rothman, 1995)."
