In a perfect world, all children would have enough money for a public education. After all, a public education is free, isn't it? Maybe to some, a public education seems free, but to the 20,000 people within my county who live in poverty, public education is not entirely free. These families must provide their children with money for lunch, money for school supplies, project materials, school appropriate clothing (which gets more complicated every year) and locker fees. Then there are the additional expenses of school pictures, class rings, graduation invitations, prom dresses and tuxedos, prom pictures and other non-essentials which are more or less expected for a child to have a well-rounded educational experience and self-esteem... Children who live in poverty-stricken households suffer ridicule, and damage to their self-esteem. How can we expect these children to succeed in life if the beginning of their life is so desperate? Many would like to point fingers and say that if the parents would place more effort, the children wouldn't have these problems, but according to the Alabama Poverty Project's research:
"In 1990, 60% of the poor in the U.S. were not able to work due to their age (too young or too old), disability, or the lack of jobs. All of these are circumstances clearly beyond the control of the individual."
Others would say that people in impoverished households receive plenty of help from our tax money. To that the APP responds:
"Most poor citizens do not receive aid from the government, either because they are not eligible, not willing to apply, or do not know that they are eligible.
In Alabama, only a minority of welfare recipients receive ANY cash aid at all. Among those who do receive AFDC payments, an average of $29 per child each month or $348 a year was paid (1990). Compared to the income tax deduction of $2,450 per child, it is clear that the middle class families have more government- supplied incentive to have kids than the poor do. In fact, the fertility rate of women on welfare is less than the fertility rate of all U.S. women of child bearing age.
The average Food Stamp allotment in 1990 was 79 cents a meal per person. For a poor person, no amount of "good management" can result in sufficient nutritious meals throughout the month while on Food Stamps. We imagine what we see someone buy on food stamps is what they buy every week, but most food stamp recipients do one big shopping trip a month and try to make it last through the month."
These facts are startling, to say the least. Especially when I look at our government's grant website and see millions of dollars being sent out of our county to help the "poor" or "at risk". What about our poor and at-risk citizens? It's not that I don't believe in charity. I do believe in giving to others. But I am mystified at why we would help those far from us when we have neighbors and even friends who are in dire need.
Education in America has changed drastically over the years. The line between the haves and the have-nots is more clearly defined than ever. Children who live in a household which cannot supply proper nutrition are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to learning. They are distracted if they are hungry. They also experience illness more often than other children, causing them to miss school. These children very often cannot afford to go to the doctor when they are sick. Then, to return to school, the school requires a doctor's excuse. I'm not talking about children who qualify for Medicaid. I'm talking about children of parents who are under-employed, and make just enough money to exclude them from Food Stamps, Reduced lunch and free or reduced price medical care. Some children even miss school due to the lack of supplies, clothing, personal care items and a host of other things needed to attend school and be accepted by their peers.
Acceptance is an important need of most school aged children. Their self-esteem can truly be damaged and cause problems throughout their life by the rejection they experience in their school years. These children are often the ones who would appreciate the value of a good education more than those who can afford it.
I don't mean to imply that these children can't overcome poverty and go on to live productive lives, but many of them do not. Those who do are exceptions to the rule. This should not be happening in America! Now that many of us are experiencing the crunch in our economy, these people suffer most. Just the fuel to go to work can take up as much as twenty percent of the family income. Add to that the cost of rent, utilities and food and there is very little left. If a family is struggling to meet expenses, their payments cannot always be made on time, which incurs late fees, and cost them even more. If they can't afford medical insurance, doctors charge them full price for medical care and payment is expected up front. How can these families hope to survive, let alone educate a child?
In summary, I believe the impact of poverty on education and every other facet of life is far-reaching and devastating. I also believe that these needs should be given top priority in our government's spending decisions.