Children Suffer the Effects of a Failing Economy

Many families are suffering the effects of a failing economy. Lost jobs, pay cuts, and no overtime are causing parents to make tough choices in these tough times. The priority of keeping a roof over your families head and food on the table can be a great challenge today. With the loss of jobs also comes the loss of health care, and anything considered to be a luxury. Many children will directly be affected by our failing economy. According to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, "The national unemployment rate rose from 7.2 percent in December to 7.6 percent in January and was 2.7 percentage points higher than a year earlier."

Some families are choosing to downsize their living arrangements, because they can no longer afford their rent. They are being forced to move to find cheaper rental properties. Moving to smaller residences or even residences in less desirable areas, just to survive. Many families are losing their homes all together. They are being forced into shelters, or moving in with extended family members or friends. This means children are suffering the effect of losing their classmates, friends, and school districts they have been attending for most, if not all of their lives. Others will feel the pressure of living in an over crowed environment, and being forced to give up many of the personal belongings.

While some children are adjusting to their new surroundings, some children will face the challenge of doing with out necessities. If a parent looses a job that is supplying their health care insurance and dental coverage, children may not get the health care and dental support they need. Some parents facing a cut in their income, but still have insurance may not be able to afford the co pay of a doctor's office visit. More and more parents will be forced to use an emergency room for non emergent health issues. This unfortunate alternative will only add to the parents debt. According to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, "The national average E.R. visit costs $383, while the national average doctor's office visit is approximately $60. Unnecessary E.R. visits can delay care for those with true emergencies, and cost billions of dollars."

Aside from health care issues, living arrangements and supplying food for their family, there are other challenges families may face. Many families will have to make a choice to discontinue extra curricular activities their children participate in. Music and Sports programs their children attend may need to be cut out, in order to save money. Buying sports equipment, and renting or buying musical instruments can become an obstacle parents must face. Even attending groups such as Girl Scouts require membership dues and fees for participation in certain activities. Unfortunately some children will miss out on the positive social and self esteem impact these groups offer.

Self esteem and pride issues may directly impact our children too. Some children will face the issue of not being able to obtain new clothes, shoes or even a decent coat to wear. A child faces many obstacles while growing up. The added concern of not being able to afford items they need, can have a great impact on their self esteem and self worth. Not being able to feel comfortable in their clothes, not being able to attend school functions or programs, can give the child a feeling of being left out, and the fear of being made fun of. Unfortunately many children suffer the effects of bullying and teasing due to their circumstances.

In order to help our children through these tough economic times, many parents will need to be open and honest with their children. Explain the situation as simple as possible to their children and reinforce the fact that it is not the child's fault. Children do not need the added feeling of responsibility that they caused hardship on their parents, nor do they need to experience the stress of trying to pay bills. Parents will need to reassure their children in this failing economy, that families can work together to make the best of their situation.

Sources:

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas-Employer-Doctor's Office Versus E.R. Visit

http://www.bcbstx.com/employer/hccc/topic6.htm

Regional and State Employment and Unemployment Summary

United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.nr0.htm