History and its complications

While some New Zealanders are living a prosperous life, a lot of the next and upcoming generation - our children in our nation are cold, hungry, unhealthy and are possibly missing out on education. Is there a reason for this? And how, when and why did this start? This you tube clip provides an historical overview of the political and economic decisions that have contributed to child poverty in New Zealand, Aotearoa.

So after watching the you tube clip above was there any questions that went through your mind, or did you find out more information that has changed your opinion about child poverty. From watching the clip, it has opened my eyes to the effect of how globalisation has truly affected our country as a whole, and how this affect trickles down through society and affects everyone at different levels. From what I can understand, it has been New Zealand government decisions and global economic decisions that have had a huge impact on our country. The implications from the decisions that were made, made the rich, richer and the poor, poorer (Johnson, 2003). Therefore, poverty was without doubt going to become prominent in New Zealand .So, why is it that the government who was in reign, did not take a step back to look at the complications that were arising? Furthermore, it has got me thinking about the people that were in poverty. Was the government worried about people in poverty? Moreover, were they not concerned about the effects on children in poverty? Is this because of the ideology of social deprivation, where higher class saw the working class inadequate, and not being able to progress into higher class? Therefore, did they have an attitude of ‘so what, they’re never going to become like us so let’s leave policies and laws the way they are’?

According to Johnson (2003) “The policy shifts since the early 1990’s have largely been driven by ideology rather than a consideration of what might be in the best interests of low income children and their families” (p.9). Therefore, because of the ideology that the government had, there were serious complications for working class children and their families. We cannot ignore the impact that global and national events and decisions have on children. This all relates to Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory model where he believes that global and national events and decisions can have an impact on the well being of the child (Chilton, Chyatte & Breaux, 2007) The effects of these events and decisions have triggered: inadequate housing causing children to have health problems; low income causing lack of food, clothes, hospital visits and education for children. These complications will be discussed in my next two blogs.

A question to leave this blog with… This is history, however child poverty is still happening, WHY?

References:

Awatchfuleye (2011, November 23). Why New Zealand has child poverty [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLH2u2uIBhw
Chilton, M., Chyatte, M., & Breaux, J. (2007). The negative affects of poverty and food insecurity on child development. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 126(4), 262-272. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/195974257?accountid=39646
Johnson, A. (2003). Room for improvement: Current New Zealand Policies and their Implications for our children. Auckland, New Zealand: Child Poverty Action Group. 

Introduction

Hello, Kia ora and welcome to my blog site. Through my blog site I am aiming to provide information, statistics and research for people like you and me who are interested in the effects of child poverty in New Zealand, Aotearoa. Over the up and coming weeks of this course I will be providing information and evidence from national research, the media and experts to show multiple perspectives about factors that contribute to child poverty. I will also be providing useful links that will be aiming to draw current research and information on the following:

·         The history of child poverty in New Zealand;

·         Family income-causing lack of food, clothes, hospital visits and education;

·         Inadequate housing-causing health issues.

Furthermore, I will be providing critique on the information and evidence that is collected through analysing relevant policies and legislation's. Lastly, I will also consider the pedagogical implications for early childhood teachers, including myself and the effects that child poverty has on the centre including, children, parents, whānau/family and the community.


What is child poverty?

·         “Children living in poverty [are those who] experience deprivation of the material, spiritual and emotional resources needed to survive, develop and thrive, leaving them unable to enjoy their rights, achieve their full potential or participate as full and equal members of society” (United Nations Children's Fund [UNICEF} as cited in Wikipedia, 2012).

Professor Innes Asher describes a practical definition of poverty as inadequate income for:

• Health care (transport, doctors fees, prescription costs, hospital parking
• Nutritious food
• Adequate housing (not crowded, damp, cold or too costly)
• Clothing, bedding, washing and drying facilities
• Education (transport, stationery, school donations, exam fees, and school trips)

This all has an overall impact an children.

(Asher, 2010)

References

Asher, I. (2010). Improving the Poor Health Outcomes for Children in New Zealand - What Can Be   Done? Retrieved from http://www.cpag.org.nz/assets/Health/MIAsherPorrittLecture3Nov2010%20%282%29.pdf

Wikipedia. (2012). Poverty. Retrieved from, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/poverty