EthanFightsPoverty

New Zealand "How does poverty affect children"

[ethanfightspoverty-blog]

This poem 'Poverty Through Brown Eyes' was written by a 17 year old poet, Andrew Riwhi- Harding. This poem shows what poverty looks like on the streets in New Zealand, and what typically happens with parents who have addiction problems such as alcohol. Poverty is a very concerning issue, with children not even being able to eat. Children should not have to go hungry, as this interferes with their health, learning and their life experiences. New Zealand needs to change, for the sake of the younger generation.

Reference:

Harding.A.R. (2008, Aug). Poverty Through Brown Eyes. Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10525850

[ethanfightspoverty-blog]

In August a report released by the Children's Commissioner highlight that approximately 270,000 New Zealand children live in poverty and 40% are Pasifika chi...

Around 270,000 kiwi children are living in poverty, with 40% of this are Pasifika kids. An example of this is Sesilia Via, who is a struggling parent, living inside a garage with her child. They are living below the poverty line which means she is not getting enough income to be able to afford a proper home to live in with important necessities. They house is cold and damp, with her child always being sick.

This is only one example of a family living in poverty, but there are many more households living like this. If a family has to live inside a small garage, especially with children who are always sick with an illness or disease, this shows that New Zealand needs to change.

Resource:

Pasifika.T.(2012). Pasifika children living below poverty line. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ23Mth66E8 

[ethanfightspoverty-blog]

This video shows a very powerful message for child poverty. The routine of an average income family and a child in poverty differs significantly, with the kid in child poverty going hungry, not having fresh clothes, no shoes, transport or much shelter. This is very concerning, but the impact of just 50 cents a day to the organisation of KidsCan could make a huge difference in child poverty if more people contribute and help out.

Resource:

KidsCanNZ.(2012, April). Must watch video:New Zealand's chilling child poverty story. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsSK59THwCc

[ethanfightspoverty-blog]

Poverty rates for Maori and Pacifica are significantly higher compared to European. Averaged 2012-2014, 16% Europeans live in poor households compared to 33% Maori and 28% pacific. Most children in poverty live in rented homes. Male Maori unemployment dropped but remained disproportionately high. Maori and pacific sole parent families tend more dependent than European.  

In 2015, pacific people made up 9% sole parents support and 47% Maori. The quantity of dependent children who live with only with one parent is much higher for Maori (50%) and lower for Asian ethnicity (19%). Having poor and instable, Maori relationships has a direct impact on their increasing levels of child poverty. Reflects higher rates of de facto and blended families amongst Maori.    

Reference: Mitchel, L.(2016). Child Poverty & Family Structure What is the evidence telling us?. Retrieved from https://www.familyfirst.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Child-Poverty-and-Family-Structure-FULL-REPORT-1.pdf  

Pg 28- 33

[ethanfightspoverty-blog]

This image shows me that Maori and Pacific ethnicity have higher rates of crowding in households compared to Europeans. These statistics are from 1991-2006. This shows that overcrowding in Maori and Pacifica households is a real concern and needs to be changed, in order for poverty to decrease too. Overcrowding is a major factor that contributes to the high rates of child poverty.

[ethanfightspoverty-blog]

Jacinda Ardern: 'It's not a good place to be a child'

Labour's Jacinda Ardern weighs in on New Zealand's "appalling" child abuse statistics.

New Zealand is not a safe environment for many children to grow up in. One vital factor in a child's health is material deprivation, creating child poverty. With more funding in certain areas, focusing on poverty, domestic violence, and inequality, this issue can be solved.

New Zealand has the power to help fight child poverty, and we need to make a priority of this concerning issue. We could create a child poverty board, and increase Nurse family partnerships. This is where we look for families that could benefit from more support before they have a baby, with weekly visits that could occur for up to two years. This change could have a major impact on households that are struggling.

Resource:

Ardern, J.(2015, Nov). Jacinda Ardern: 'It's not a good place to be a child'. Retrieved from http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/74459494/jacinda-ardern-its-not-a-good-place-to-be-a-child 

[ethanfightspoverty-blog]

Poverty is a very complicated issue, but feeding a child isn’t.

Jeff Bridges (via ethanfightspoverty)

This quote mentioned by Jeff Bridges is a true statement. It shows that child poverty is very serious and hard to deal with all at once, but with small steps such as starting to feed children can really make an impact and decrease this issue. It could help in a way so children do not go to school hungry, and are able to concentrate on their own learning and succeed.

[ethanfightspoverty-blog]

This graph shows that families living below the 60% of household income has nearly doubled from 15% in the 1980′s to 29% around 2013. This is shocking to me because this means that more of New Zealand live in poverty today than in the past. This is a very serious and concerning issue that our country needs to create solutions for otherwise it will continue to get worse each year.

[ethanfightspoverty-blog]

John Key: Drug abuse major contributor to child poverty

Prime Minister rejects damning criticisms of outgoing Child Commissioner, saying the Government does a lot to alleviate hardship in New Zealand.

Drug dependency is a major connection to poverty in New Zealand. There are a range of factors that contribute to child poverty but John Key mentioned drug abuse and his concern of it. Children living in homes that earn below 60% of the median income after house costs, is nearly doubled from 15% to 29% from last year.

The government has done so much to reduce hardship in New Zealand, spending billions that went towards this issue of child poverty. This means that money is not the solution to this issue.

Poverty is not a choice and is not the child's choice either. Housing prices are rising which puts more households out to rent. Child poverty is a bad thing, and we need to change this. Too many kids are being hospitalized each year from sickness.

Reference:

Key.J. (2015,Dec). John Key: Drug abuse major contributor to child poverty. Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11561896

[ethanfightspoverty-blog]

Childhood, after all, is the first precious coin that poverty steals from a child.

Anthony Horowitz I agree with this quote, because I find that poverty steals childhood away from children as they have less opportunities than average income households. Childhood is where you develop, but with less life experiences this means that they won't view the life as other kids do. Diseases should also not be introduced to younger aged children as this will effect their entire lifetime.

[ethanfightspoverty-blog]

Combating child poverty will help beat child mental health issues

Poor nutrition and inadequate housing put children at risk of mental health problems.

Child poverty in New Zealand has a major effect on mental health problems and their well being. Mental health issues may go unseen until it is too late and the damage is extreme. New Zealands mental heath system has increased and is overwhelmed with demand. This means that noticing symptoms early results in a better outcome.

Poverty rates are higher if parents have lower education levels, if children are aged from zero to eleven, or are Maori or Pacifica. These results are compared to children aged 12 to 17 years or are European or Pakeha. Kids have double the chance to be in poverty over those aged 65 and over.

Resource:

Feek, B.F. (2017, May 18). Combating Child Poverty Will Help Beat Child Mental Health Issues. Retrieved from https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11858188

[ethanfightspoverty-blog]

Children's commissioner Andrew Becroft 'shaken' by extent of child poverty in New Zealand

Annual monitor shows child poverty rates are stable but children's commissioner calls for a poverty reduction target to be set.

Child poverty is a major issue that needs to be addressed and changed in new Zealand. An increase in housing over the years have shown be contribute in poverty all across New Zealand as well as other dramatic changes. Child poverty is associated with their health, well being and the child's future.

A major concern is that low earning families are higher likely to live in overcrowded, damp, cold, and moldy households while having difficulties to pay costs for heating. Children in poverty are more likely to develop diseases such as Chronic lung disease and Rheumatic fever from living in these horrible conditions due to poor health and lack of money to visit doctors.

Statistics show:

1. 28% of kids aged up to 17 live with families earning less than 60% of the median income.

2. 8% of children are in serious poverty.

3. 14% go without seven or more necessities, while 8% live without nine or more of these.

4. The overall rate is two times more of child poverty in 1982, when it was at 14%.

Resource: 

Goodwin, E.G. (Dec, 13). Children's Commissioner Andrew Becroft 'Shaken' By Extent Of Child Poverty In New Zealand. Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11765442

[ethanfightspoverty-blog]

I chose this photo because it shows that children living in poverty can not afford and have no transport to see a doctor when sick which means that hospital visits are increased. These statistics show shocking results to the issue of child poverty which needs to be changed.

[ethanfightspoverty-blog]

295,000 New Zealand kids are living beneath the income poverty line, leaving many unable to experience the basics that many of us take for granted. Read more about the situation in NZ and what UNICEF is doing to help.

Just over 20% of children are currently living in poverty throughout their childhood. Families living in poverty have less than 60% of the average income after housing costs have taken place. They are taken from material, spiritual, and emotional resources that they need in order to sustain a good lifestyle.

Children living in poverty creates poor access to nutritious food, being hungry most days, living in cold, damp and overcrowded conditions or even causing homelessness. Kids living in poverty also have less opportunities for extra curricular activities such as sports and learning instruments.

They have poor mental wellbeing which could contribute to stress, bullying and other mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

These kids are 3 times more likely to be sick, 2 times more likely to be in hospital, and 6 times higher rates for sudden unexpected death in infancy compared to the average child. They also have an increased risk of disease, drug and alcohol addiction, obesity and lack of dental care.

Reference:

UNICEF. (2016). Child Poverty In NZ. Retrieved from

https://preview.unicef.org.nz/in-new-zealand/child-poverty 

[ethanfightspoverty-blog]

This short film ‘Inside Child Poverty’ explains that one in five, which is 230,000 kiwi kids live in poverty with a caregiver on the benefit. Health issues that are recognized late meant that more than 20,000 children, many coming from low income homes were taken to hospital last year for an illness that was avoidable. The Ministry of health evaluates that 10% of the health vote is spent on kids from birth to 14 years and that NZ being the 3rd lowest country on the OED table in child health.

Unhealthy housing and overcrowding, with big families cramped in small homes is alarming and causes illnesses and skin infections that easily spread. Around 99% of infections come from others, as bugs are transfer between us individuals. Households have poor heating conditions as it is too expensive resulting in homes being damp and cold which creates mold. Necessities such as shelter, heating and food are expensive, meaning children attend school hungry and unable to concentrate and learn.

Housing NZ upgrades many homes across NZ every year, and the healthy housing pilot programme in connection to Counties Manukau DHB results that this has decreased hospitalization for kids in these homes by 30%, keeping 2,000 children from being admitted each year.

New Zealand should start saving three quarters of what we are spending, give kids their fair share, reorganize assets and make kids our first concern. Children should have a well balanced diet, a warm and dry home to live in, and free medical care when needed, to help them grow up into healthy teenagers and adults.

Reference:

Bruce, B.B. (2015, Jun 5). Inside Child Poverty. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AnC8yMph78

[ethanfightspoverty-blog]

Statistics of Child Poverty in New Zealand.

Resource:

Gulnaaz, Z. (N.D) Research report writing on child poverty in New Zealand. retrieved from https://www.tes.com/lessons/SB7sj7DmMmZfjA/research-report-writing-on-child-poverty-in-new-zealand 

[ethanfightspoverty-blog]

This article shows how children in New Zealand live in Low income and material hardships. Children living in severe poverty miss out on vital necessities. They live in damp, cold conditions and in overcrowded spaces without pleasant clothes or shoes. Children often go days in hunger or without the food they need. Due to lack of money, visiting doctors when sick is a luxury to children in poverty, and many cant afford to go to school. This leads to lack of education, poor jobs, and bad health. Children living in poverty have decreased opportunities and experiences.

Monitoring Child Poverty in New Zealand. This article shows the statistics of child poverty in New Zealand.

Reference:

Poverty, C,P. (2016) Child Poverty Monitor. Retrieved from http://www.childpoverty.co.nz/