The Hidden Damage of Poverty: A Boomer Call to Action

by BoomerYearbook.com

Just how much difference does having money make? We all know it dramatically affects our lifestyles but beyond the obvious signs, how does it affect our children? Research studies indicate that some children from low income families, between the ages of 9 and 10, have adversely affected brain functioning due to financial poverty. The saddest part of these findings is that the damage is so severe as to be equivalent to damage caused by a stroke!

Many stroke victims suffer prefrontal cortex lesions. This is the area of the brain that houses the problem solving skills and superior or executive judgment and thinking. Researcher Mark Kiskiyams, a cognitive psychologist at the University of California-Berkeley, found that 9 to 10 year old children from the low-income families studied, showed the same pattern of prefrontal difficulties as stroke victims. Kiskiyams’ study has been combined with other evidence to suggest that poverty adversely affects the child’s brain. It is known that there are detrimental effects caused from malnutrition, stress, toxic environments, and illiteracy. But many boomer adults are surprised to learn that the neural systems of poverty stricken children do not develop the same way as do those from middle income class children. Growing up in poverty has a direct effect on the development of linguistic skills. In addition damages can include that the child cannot plan properly, recall details or even concentrate sufficiently to understand school work. If this problem is recognized then it can be dealt with. It requires intensive intervention and time. It is a call to action for adults and educators as exercises such as focused lessons and games need to be structured to get these children to think out loud or use their executive functions. It is now becoming all the more important to consider how a child’s experience, (i.e. environment or nurture) affects brain function.

In poor third world countries, the outward effects of poverty, particularly children’s poverty is all too evident. It’s not hard to see a child with sunken eyes and a swollen tummy and know that this little one is starving. However, there is no excuse for poverty stricken children in the developed countries of the world. Yes, it’s true we don’t see the outward signs of poverty that we have just mentioned, but are we so blind that we cannot see the inward signs of those suffering in rich developed countries? We are not discussing the depths of poverty, only the periphery of it - low income families. Are these conditions so prevalent that it is affecting the very minds and healthy growth of our children? If so then we need to stand up, take notice and act upon giving all children equal opportunity. Naturally every family is unique and there are individual circumstances. Not all low income problems can be solved in the same answer. The goal should be to address the problems that can be rectified and at least eradicate some of them.

Boomers; we need a call to action. We changed the world once. We are not done yet. We need to get involved and make a difference.

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