Homelessness and Low Socioeconomic Status:
Effects on Youth Development
Amie Beadles
American Public University
Homelessness and Low Socioeconomic Status: Effects on Youth Development A young unmarried teenager finds herself in a predicament. She found out she is pregnant and the father has vanished. Her parents are avid drug users and really do not care what their child does as long as it does not interfere with their drug use, and she becomes homeless as a result of situation. Her unborn child is already off to a rough start and has not even had his or her first breath. Teenage mothers that are supported and afforded proper prenatal care are more likely to have a normal healthy child (Parke and Gauvain 2008.) Unfortunately, many teenage mothers in low socioeconomic areas are not afforded proper nutrition and prenatal care. This starts a cycle of delayed child development that is difficult to break. Infants born to young homeless mothers that are of low socioeconomic status have a tendency to have a low birthweight, suffer many health conditions and possibly not receive neonatal care after being born. Brain development happens rapidly during the first few years of life with 80 percent happening before age 3 and an additional 90 percent before. Surrounding children with positive nurturing environments that support that development creates the strong foundation they need to be successful in life. Older children who are homeless and or of low socioeconomic status are more at risk for not having adequate nutrition, for being exposed to or directly experiencing violence, for being removed from their parents or caregivers and placed into child protective services, a system that is not ideal for child development. These experiences create chronic stress and produce a physiological response that weakens the ability of children to normally develop. Children that experience homelessness often display traits of regression in speech, behavior and toileting by age 5. This is probably caused by a lack of safety and security of their environment (Learey 2014.) These children are less likely to experience an early education like a preschool or daycare. The key concept to the topic of the effect of homelessness and low socioeconomic status on child development are that children are negatively impacted by the instability caused by being homeless. …show more content…
Homelessness does not always mean that a family is living on the street, it can also mean that they lack a permanent place to reside at night such as a friend or family member’s house. It can also mean that they live in a place that is not meant to be inhabited by humans such as a car or abandoned building (Cornell University 2014.) McDevitt explains in different sections of “Child Development and Education, 5th Edition” the many different ways that homelessness in the most severe sense can effect a child and their family while also offering resources for those helping displaced families. This topic is difficult for people to discuss because it forces oneself to look at the issue at hand. That children in America are going to bed without adequate housing and food. Learning objectives that this topic touches on are how early experiences have a multitude of effects on development and learning, and that children develop best when they have secure relationships and a secure place to call home. Poor nutrition can also play a major role in physical development
Effects on Youth Development
Amie Beadles
American Public University
Homelessness and Low Socioeconomic Status: Effects on Youth Development A young unmarried teenager finds herself in a predicament. She found out she is pregnant and the father has vanished. Her parents are avid drug users and really do not care what their child does as long as it does not interfere with their drug use, and she becomes homeless as a result of situation. Her unborn child is already off to a rough start and has not even had his or her first breath. Teenage mothers that are supported and afforded proper prenatal care are more likely to have a normal healthy child (Parke and Gauvain 2008.) Unfortunately, many teenage mothers in low socioeconomic areas are not afforded proper nutrition and prenatal care. This starts a cycle of delayed child development that is difficult to break. Infants born to young homeless mothers that are of low socioeconomic status have a tendency to have a low birthweight, suffer many health conditions and possibly not receive neonatal care after being born. Brain development happens rapidly during the first few years of life with 80 percent happening before age 3 and an additional 90 percent before. Surrounding children with positive nurturing environments that support that development creates the strong foundation they need to be successful in life. Older children who are homeless and or of low socioeconomic status are more at risk for not having adequate nutrition, for being exposed to or directly experiencing violence, for being removed from their parents or caregivers and placed into child protective services, a system that is not ideal for child development. These experiences create chronic stress and produce a physiological response that weakens the ability of children to normally develop. Children that experience homelessness often display traits of regression in speech, behavior and toileting by age 5. This is probably caused by a lack of safety and security of their environment (Learey 2014.) These children are less likely to experience an early education like a preschool or daycare. The key concept to the topic of the effect of homelessness and low socioeconomic status on child development are that children are negatively impacted by the instability caused by being homeless. …show more content…
Homelessness does not always mean that a family is living on the street, it can also mean that they lack a permanent place to reside at night such as a friend or family member’s house. It can also mean that they live in a place that is not meant to be inhabited by humans such as a car or abandoned building (Cornell University 2014.) McDevitt explains in different sections of “Child Development and Education, 5th Edition” the many different ways that homelessness in the most severe sense can effect a child and their family while also offering resources for those helping displaced families. This topic is difficult for people to discuss because it forces oneself to look at the issue at hand. That children in America are going to bed without adequate housing and food. Learning objectives that this topic touches on are how early experiences have a multitude of effects on development and learning, and that children develop best when they have secure relationships and a secure place to call home. Poor nutrition can also play a major role in physical development