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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsChild poverty in the U.S. is among the worst in the developed world
The United States ranks near the bottom of the pack of wealthy nations on a measure of child poverty, according to a new report from UNICEF. Nearly one third of U.S. children live in households with an income below 60 percent of the national median income in 2008 - about $31,000 annually.
In the richest nation in the world, one in three kids live in poverty. Let that sink in.
With 32.2 percent of children living below this line, the U.S. ranks 36th out of the 41 wealthy countries included in the UNICEF report. By contrast, only 5.3 percent of Norwegian kids currently meet this definition of poverty.
More alarmingly, the share of U.S. children living in poverty has actually increased by 2 percentage points since 2008. Overall, 24.2 million U.S. children were living in poverty in 2012, reflecting an increase of 1.7 million children since 2008. "Of all newly poor children in the OECD and/or EU, about a third are in the United States," according to the report. On the other hand, 18 countries were actually able to reduce their childhood poverty rates over the same period.
For the richest country in the world to also have one of the world's highest childhood poverty rates is, frankly, an embarrassment. Like our high infant mortality rate, child poverty in the U.S. reflects the failure of policymakers to seriously grapple with the challenges facing the most vulnerable members of society.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/10/29/child-poverty-in-the-u-s-is-among-the-worst-in-the-developed-world/?Post+generic=%3Ftid%3Dsm_twitter_washingtonpost
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Child poverty in the U.S. is among the worst in the developed world (Original Post)
J_J_
Oct 2014
OP
The US needs a socialist government. Under a socialist government the most vulnerable members
Louisiana1976
Oct 2014
#5
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)1. And we are just finishing up a mid-term election that has cost HOW MUCH?
It will be interesting to see how much each candidate cost to win their post. Meanwhile, children are going to bed with growling stomachs.
Waaaay past time for the US to get their priorities straight.
J_J_
(1,213 posts)3. the media gets all that campaign money
the same media that is using our public airwaves to lie to us so that politicians can steal more for their 1%er buddies
Jackpine Radical
(45,274 posts)2. That's just 'cuz our underclasses are so lazy.
Or at least that's the explanation I know I would get from My Favorite Wingnut.
hifiguy
(33,688 posts)4. Buncha commies saying that the billionaires
don't really need that money? Screw 'em. Lazy fukkin' assholes. Let 'em starve or get jobs if they're so damn "poor." 'Murka, FUCK YEAH!!!
Do I really need to include this? I will anyway.
Louisiana1976
(3,962 posts)5. The US needs a socialist government. Under a socialist government the most vulnerable members
of society including children would be better taken care of.
Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)6. but we have a budget surplus!!11!1!!
So cheer goddammit!!1111!!1!1!!!