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The stress of being a poor child in America
1Family Life Development Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA. jg38@cornell.edu
Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America
|January 20, 1999
Insights
Child poverty
Area of Science:
- Human ecology
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Child poverty is a significant issue in American society.
- Understanding the psychological impact of poverty is crucial for effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the human ecology of child poverty.
- To examine the psychological meanings of poverty in American society.
- To identify the core clinical issues associated with poverty.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of psychological meanings.
- Exploration of human ecological factors.
- Focus on societal perceptions of economic inequality.
Main Results:
- Psychological meanings of poverty are central to clinical issues.
- Shame associated with economic inequality is a key factor.
- Limited resource possession is secondary to perceived inequality.
Conclusions:
- Clinical interventions for child poverty must address psychological and social factors.
- Reducing economic inequality and associated shame is vital.
- A human ecology perspective offers a comprehensive understanding of child poverty.
Abstract:
This article explores the human ecology of child poverty. It focuses on the psychologic meanings of poverty in American society. Issues of shame linked to economic inequality rather than limited resource possession are at the core of clinical issues associated with poverty.
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