Poverty’s Effect on Children
Children in poverty are affected in negative ways on a daily basis. Poverty has been a major issue throughout the world, and places a wide span of negative affects on children. In the memoir, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, The Wall’s family lives most of their lives in poverty which buries their children in stress, unstable environments, and misery. Poverty contributes to a lack in a child’s intellectual abilities, mental health, abuse, and family stability.
Poverty puts a strain on children’s intellectual abilities in school. Kids who are in poverty feel as if they have no control over their life, and are less motivated to put forth effort into their education. This is also known as “learned helplessness” …show more content…
The constant suffering and privation of a child, contributes to mental disorders. Children in poverty have a higher risk of developing ADHD, OCD, and other mental ailments. The weight of poverty on children’s shoulders makes kids more prone to depression. The constant aching in their empty stomachs, and their anxieties could eventually lead to suicidal thoughts. Children in poverty are more likely to develop behavioral disorders. The amounting stress, exhaustion, and anxiety can lead to numerous behavioral disorders later in life. If a child overcomes poverty and becomes financially stable, the effects of poverty will still be a struggle everyday of their lives. In the memoir The Glass Castle, Maureen becomes engulfed in a mental disorder. She attacks her mom with a knife, after she was told to leave the house. All Maureen wanted was for someone to take care of her and be there for her. Since everybody had their own problems to worry about, Maureen got left in the dust. She was neglected, and spent most of her time in other people’s houses. All of the factors adding up from poverty may have led to her breakdown. Financial instability leads to mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders later in