The Children Suffer the Sins of Their Parents

 

 

We simply must have better parents and guardians for our precious children. Whether lack of education,lack of experience, or just plain indifference present such substandard childcare, what matters is the effect on our progeny and their generation and so many more to come thereafter. Love and care offer answers. 

America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2023, is a compendium of indicators about our Nation's young people. The report, the 25th produced by the Forum, presents 41 key indicators on important aspects of children's lives. These indicators are drawn from our most reliable Federal statistics, are easily understood by broad audiences, are objectively based on substantial research, are balanced so that no single area of children's lives dominates the report, are measured often to show trends over time, and are representative of large segments of the population rather than one particular group.

The report continues to present key indicators in seven domains: family and social environment, economic circumstances, health care, physical environment and safety, behavior, education, and health. To ensure that the information stays relevant, the Forum periodically revises indicators, data sources, and features to maintain the relevance of the report.

I chose not to include all 41 Key Indicators on Important Aspects of Children's Lives, but I picked several of those indicators that show the pitiful state of so many children in America. I hope you read this and realize the importance of the entry. It is my hope parents, guardians, and children find relief from the suffering they face. Our children are our most important resource. We must support changes to better their conditions.

Each volume of America's Children also spotlights critical data gaps identified by the Forum's Planning Committee and its Federal statistical agencies. Starting with the 2017 report, such data concerns, related to understanding the condition and progress of our Nation's children, were consolidated into a stand-alone Data Topics report section, rather than included as Indicators Needed at the end of each report domain.

 ("America's Children: Key Nationa Indicators of Well-Being. 2013." America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2023. Child Stats. https://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren/. Office of the Chief Statistician. U.S. Office of Management and Budget.)

Demographic data by birth cohort generation can shed light on how the U.S. population is changing over time and help inform programs and policies. For instance, younger generations are more racial­ly and eth­ni­cal­ly diverse than old­er generations, with Gen Alpha being the most diverse generation yet. Children and youth of color generally experience disproportionately poor outcomes across many areas of health and well-being. To ensure the long-term prosperity of our country, programs and policies must be culturally responsive and prioritize equitable outcomes for all young people.

* 1.  For decades, the share of U.S. children living with a single parent has been rising, accompanied by a decline in marriage rates and a rise in births outside of marriage. A Pew Research Center study (2018) of 130 countries and territories shows that the U.S. has the world’s highest rate of children living in single-parent households.

 Almost a quarter of U.S. children under the age of 18 live with one parent and no other adults (23%), more than three times the share of children around the world who do so (7%). The study, which analyzed how people’s living arrangements differ by religion, also found that U.S. children from Christian and religiously unaffiliated families are about equally likely to live in this type of arrangement.

(Gretchen Livingston. "About one-third of U.S. children are living with an unmarried parent." Pew Research Center. April 27, 2018.)

* 2. In 2023, 4.8 percent of families included an unemployed person, up from 4.7 percent in 2022, the U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Of the nation's 83.8 million families, 80.2 percent had at least one employed member in 2023.These data on employment, unemployment, and family relationships are collected as part of the Current Population Survey (CPS), a monthly survey of about 60,000 households. 

Data in this news release are annual averages. Families are classified either as married-couple families or as families maintained by women or men without spouses present. Unless otherwise noted, families include those with and without children under age 18.

 At least one parent was employed in 91.9 percent of families with children, up from 91.2 percent in 2022. Among married-couple families with children, 97.6 percent had at least one employed parent-- National.

(News Release: "Employment Characteristics of Families — 2023." U.S. Department of Labor. April 24, 2024.)

Those U.S. Department of Labor statistics do not sound tremendously bad for children of working families. Yet, you must read on to find indicators of poverty and mistreatment of children to catch the full effect of this entry.

 

* 3. Children under age 18 who are in poverty according to the supplemental poverty measure. Currently, 16% of all children in the United States — 11.6 million kids total — are living in poverty. A family of four with annual earnings below $29,678 is considered poor. In the last decade, the percentage of U.S. children in poverty peaked at 23% in 2012, and fell to 16% 2022. 16% National

(Data Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation./ PRB analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement.)

* 4. Extreme poverty: the share of children under age 18 who live in families with incomes less than 50% of the federal poverty level.

The federal poverty definition consists of a series of thresholds based on family size and composition. In 2022, a 50% poverty threshold for a family of two adults and two children was $14,839. Poverty status is not determined for people in military barracks, institutional quarters, or for unrelated individuals under age 15 (such as foster children). The data are based on income received in the 12 months prior to the survey.

 

The official poverty rate in 2022 was 11.5 percent, with 37.9 million people in poverty. Neither the rate nor the number in poverty. Official poverty rates increased
between 2021 and 2022 for the White and non-Hispanic White populations.

The estimates in this report are based on data collected in the 2023 and earlier Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS
ASEC) conducted by the Census Bureau. In 2021, 8.8% of families were in poverty, an increase of 0.1 percentage points from 2020. 11.5% National Poverty -- close to 9% with children.

(Data Source:PRB analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Census Supplementary Survey & American Community Survey table B17024.)

* 5.  Children under age 18 living in families where at least one parent does not have a job, has been actively looking for work in the past 4 weeks, and is currently available for work. For children living in single-parent families, this means that the resident parent is unemployed. For children living in married-couple families, this means that either or both parents are unemployed.

 

Children under age 18 who live in families with incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty level and where at least one parent worked 50 or more weeks during the previous year, by children in immigrant families or US-born families. 

 

 The federal poverty definition consists of a series of thresholds based on family size and composition. In 2022, the 200% poverty threshold for a family of two adults and two children was $59,356. Poverty status is not determined for people in military barracks, institutional quarters, or for unrelated individuals under age 15 (such as foster children).

Children in immigrant families are themselves foreign-born or reside with at least one foreign-born parent. Children in U.S.-born families are both themselves and their resident parents born in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or the Northern Marianas or born abroad of American parents.

 

 (Data Source: PRB analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Last Updated in January 2024.)

* 6. The percentage of households with children birth to age 17 that sometimes or often did not have enough food to eat prior to March 13, 2020. On March 13, 2020, the U.S. government declared the COVID-19 pandemic a national emergency, thus marking the start of the pandemic in the United States. Only respondents who provided a valid response are included. 16% and 13% in the last week - National.

(Data Source: Population Reference Bureau analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau, Household Pulse Survey, 2020. Updated April 2021.)

 

* 7. The percentage of households with children birth to age 17 where it has been somewhat or very difficult for the household to pay for usual household expenses, including but not limited to food, rent or mortgage, car payments, medical expenses, students loans, and so on in the past week. Only respondents who provided a valid response are included. 48-50% National

(Data Source: Population Reference Bureau analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau, Household Pulse Survey, 2020-2022. Updated December 2022.)

* 8. Children under age 18 who live in families where no parent has regular, full-time employment. For children living in single-parent families, this means the resident parent did not work at least 35 hours per week, at least 50 weeks in the 12 months prior to the survey. For children living in married-couple families, this means neither parent worked at least 35 hours per week, at least 50 weeks in the 12 months prior to the survey. Children living with neither parent were listed as not having secure parental employment because those children are likely to be economically vulnerable. 28-27% National (Data Source: PRB analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey) * 9. Children living in families lacking secure parental employment are vulnerable. Without at least one parent employed full time, children are more likely to fall into poverty. Yet too many parents who want full-time work are forced to piece together part-time or temporary jobs that do not provide sufficient or stable income; some lack the education and skills needed to secure a good job. Even a full-time job at low wages does not necessarily lift a family out of poverty. 33-34% National (This indicator is part of the KIDS COUNT Child Well-Being Index. Read the KIDS COUNT Data Book to learn more: http://datacenter.kidscount.org/publications.)   For children living in single-parent families, this means the resident parent did not work at least 35 hours per week, at least 50 weeks in the 12 months prior to the survey. For children living in married-couple families, this means neither parent worked at least 35 hours per week, at least 50 weeks in the 12 months prior to the survey. Children living with neither parent were listed as not having secure parental employment because those children are likely to be economically vulnerable. (Data Source: PRB analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Last updated 2019) Children under age 18 in families that receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), cash public assistance income, or Food Stamps/SNAP in the previous 12 months. 26% National (Data Source: PRB analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey table B09010. Last Updated November 2023.) While many unemployed teens may be enrolled in school, developing job skills and experience can be instrumental in the transition to adulthood. It is critical that teens stay engaged in either school or the workforce, or both, but detachment from those settings can keep youth from developing the skills and knowledge needed to access to good jobs and higher wages in the future. Youth ages 16 to 19 who are not enrolled in school (full- or part-time) and not employed (full- or part-time). This measure is sometimes referred to as “Idle Teens” or “Disconnected Youth.” 7% National (Data are provided for the 50 most populous cities according to the most recent Census counts. Cities for which data are collected may change over time. November 2023.) (PRB analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Census Supplementary Survey & American Community Survey table B14005.) * 10. The percentage of households with children birth to age 17 that are very likely or extremely likely to have to leave their home/apartment due to eviction or foreclosure in the next two months. Only respondents who are currently paying rent/mortgage and are not caught up on rent/mortgage payments, and who provided a valid response are included. 32-47% National (Data Source:"Population Reference Bureau analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau, Household Pulse Survey, 2020-2022." Updated December 2022.)   * 11. The percentage of adults ages 18 to 24 who reported that they currently do not have health insurance. Adults were classified as uninsured if they did not report any private health insurance coverage or public health plan coverage at the time of the interview. Adults were also classified as uninsured if they had only Indian Health Service coverage. Only respondents who provided a valid response are included. 4-5% National (Data Source: Population Reference Bureau analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau, Household Pulse Survey, 2020-2022. Updated December 2022.) * 12. Children ages 2 to 17 with a parent who reports that a doctor has told them their child has autism, developmental delays, depression or anxiety, ADD/ADHD, or behavioral/conduct problems. 21% National (Data Source: (Child Trends analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, National Survey of Children’s Health. Tthe National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). The NSCH includes information on approximately 50,000 children under age 18, with representative samples for each state. For more information on the NSCH, see http://childhealthdata.org/learn/NSCH.Updated April 2019.) * 13. The percentage of adults ages 18 to 24 who reported that they felt nervous, anxious or on edge for more than half of the days or nearly every day in the past seven days. Only respondents who provided a valid response are included. 39% National (Data Source: Population Reference Bureau analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau, Household Pulse Survey, 2020-2021. Updated July 2021.) * 14. Children whose parents/guardians reported that they "somewhat disagree" or "definitely disagree" with the statement: "The child is safe in our neighborhood" There were changes to the wording of this item between 2011–2012 and the 2015–2016 survey. Previously, this variable was defined as children age 0-17 years whose parents indicated that the child lived in a neighborhood that was "sometimes" or "never" safe. Due to changes in wording of this item, it is now defined as children age 0-17 years whose parents/guardians reported that they "somewhat disagree" or "definitely disagree" with the statement: "The child is safe in our neighborhood."  Due to changes in the survey’s item wording, it is not possible to compare estimates from the redesigned survey to those from previous iterations of the NSCH or NS-CSHCN or to conduct related trend analyses. The redesigned NSCH will support trend analyses beginning with data from 2016. 5% National (Data Source: Child Trends analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, National Survey of Children’s Health.) * 15. Children growing up in single-parent families typically do not have the same economic or human resources available as those growing up in two-parent families. Compared with children in married-couple families, children raised in single-parent households are more likely to drop out of school, to have or cause a teen pregnancy and to experience a divorce in adulthood. Children growing up in single-parent families typically do not have the same economic or human resources available as those growing up in two-parent families. Compared with children in married-couple families, children raised in single-parent households are more likely to drop out of school, to have or cause a teen pregnancy and to experience a divorce in adulthood. Ohio 37% (This indicator is included in the KIDS COUNT Child Well-Being Index. Read the KIDS COUNT Data Book to learn more: http://datacenter.kidscount.org/publications.)   * 16. Child victims are children who are subject to at least one substantiated or indicated maltreatment report. Prior to 2015, children in cases receiving alternative response were included as victims, but from 2015 onwards, these children are not included as victims to align with a change in methodology in the Children's Bureau's Child Maltreatment report. Rates of maltreated children are per 1,000 children under 18 years old. It is important to note that these numbers do not include child victims who did not come to the attention of authorities through a report of maltreatment. Because of this, and because of state differences in policies and practices—including variations in the legal definitions of maltreatment—readers should exercise caution in interpreting trends and in making state-to-state comparisons. To the extent possible, we use the same definition of substantiation as the Child Maltreatment report. However, unlike many of the tabulations in the report, our analyses examine the number of children who were maltreated, not the number of maltreatment incidents. Since a child can be the subject of more than one maltreatment incident, the numbers of children in each category presented here will be smaller than in the report’s tabulations of incidents. Cases of maltreatment where the victim was not yet born, or was 18 years or older, are not included. State estimates are shown only for states with valid data. In the publicly-available NCANDS file, state names are suppressed on records dealing with child fatalities to protect confidentiality.  Among all reported fatalities, some cases had prior investigations (in the same fiscal year) for reported maltreatment, and others did not. Prior to 2010, fatalities were included in our national totals. Beginning in 2010, our national total includes fatalities if they also had a prior investigation report that was not associated with a fatality, but otherwise fatalities are excluded. We made this exclusion because it is not possible in the public-use file to identify which of the children who died also have a record indicating a prior maltreatment investigation, and because we found that this approach yields national totals that are closer to the Children’s Bureau’s estimates (i.e., national totals are more likely to be overestimated when fatalities are included than they are to be underestimated if fatalities are excluded). Due to missing state data, national totals are not provided before 2004. National estimates after 2005 include Puerto Rico. Data Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau. National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) Child File, FFY 2000–2021. Updated April 2024.)   To Beat the Child Was Bad Enough   A young body, light  As winter sunshine, a new  Seed's bursting promise,  Hung from a string of silence  Above its future.  (The chance of choice was never known.)  Hunger, new hands, strange voices,  Its cry came natural, tearing.    Water boiled in innocence, gaily  In a cheap pot.  The child exchanged its Curiosity for terror. The skin Withdrew, the flesh submitted.    Now, cries make shards  Of broken air, beyond an unremembered Hunger and the peace of strange hands.    -- Maya Angelou