The recession has hit American children hard. The percentage of U.S. children living in poverty has risen 37 percent over the past decade – to 15.6 million today. That’s more than 1 out of every 5 kids.
The numbers are worse for African-American children; 38.6 percent of them are poor. 33.7 percent of Hispanic children live in poverty. Children of single moms of any color are four times more likely than their peers to be poor.
These kids tend to have a tougher time later, displaying more behavioral difficulties and achieving less educational success.
Check out our infographic for more on childhood poverty. See “What Do Others Say?” for more perspective, then add to the discussion below. Are there any good answers? What’s the effect on our country of so many poor kids?
