How Are Children Affected by the Bad Economy?

The bad economy is dramatically impacting family life. It is not only impacting how many children families are deciding to have, but it is also changing what opportunities are available for kids and how they interact with their families. While many of the impacts of the bad economy are negative, there are also a few positive changes that are taking place in the American family unit that will benefit kids of this generation in the future.

Family Planning

One of the biggest impacts that the bad economy is having on families is that it is dramatically reducing birthrates. This reduction comes from conscious choices made by couples to put off having children until the economy improves and from conscious choices to limit the number of children that a family has in total. This trend is supported by an increase in the number of vasectomies that men are getting and the increase usage of hormonal and barrier type birth control by women. Furthermore, adoption inquiries have also experienced a decline since the downturn of the economy. This demonstrates how concerned parents are about being able to support a family.

School Problems

Another aspect of children's lives that are being impacted by the bad economy is their school experience. There are several problems that have developed in school systems as a result of the bad economy. First of all, many school districts are cutting gifted programs and other "non-essential" educational programs including music and art. These cuts have been criticized by many who think that some schools are just using the struggling economy as an excuse to make cuts to special programming in their districts.

Another problem that is becoming a huge problem is that more sick kids are coming to school. This trend is being caused by the fact that many kids come from homes where their parents work. When the child gets sick they are sent to school because either the parent is afraid of losing their job if they stay home with their sick child or they can't afford to miss a day of work. Since most kids contract an average of six to ten colds each school year, the number of sick and contagious kids at school is increasing. With the swine flu epidemic looming in the background, this is just not a safe situation for children, teachers or parents.

Families Are Stronger

While many aspects of children's lives are negatively impacted by the bad economy there is one place where things seem to be improving, family life. Many families no longer can support a life of excess. This means that they are staying home and spending more time doing things as a family. This is a huge advantage for kids, who have in recent generations been offered little quality time with their family.

Another advantage of growing up in a bad economy is that kids are learning practical skills that will help them to thrive in the future. They are learning to economize, to survive using fewer resources and to focus on what truly matters in life; family, friends and health. All of these skills will help today's children to be better leaders of the next generation.

References

Anonymous. (2009, February 20). "Bad economy means more sick kids going to school." KFMB-TV. Retrieved from the World Wide Web 09.22.09 from http://www.cbs8.com/Global/story.asp?S=9881752

Bainbridge, Carol. (2009, April 15). "Bad economy affects gifted kids." Carol's Gifted Children Blog. Retrieved from the World Wide Web 09.22.09 from http://giftedkids.about.com/b/2009/04/15/bad-economy-effects-gifted-kids.htm

George, Cindy. (2009, May 18). "Taking birth out budget: Women are delaying having children because of economic slump." Houston Chronicle. Online version accessed 09.22.09 from http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/6428622.html

Skipper, Jason. (2009). "Thank God our kids are being raised in a bad economy." Playground Magazine. Online version accessed 09.22.09 from http://www.playground-magazine.com/2009/03/thank-god-our-kids-are-being-raised-in-a-bad-economy/