Kids

I am about to break protocol. Usually, these blogs are topical and allow me to roam to and from across literary boundaries and genres. And, while I enjoy the freedom of of picking and choosing standalone issues, I am going to branch out by actually attempting to remain focused. Over the next few weeks, I'm sticking to one topic that is important to all of us at Samaritan House: the effects of homelessness on kids.

Homelessness influences every facet of a child’s life — from birth to young adulthood. The experience of homelessness inhibits the physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and behavioral development of children. The impact of homelessness begins well before a child is born. The overwhelming majority of homeless parents are single women, many of whom were homeless themselves as children. Homeless women face many obstacles to healthy pregnancies, such as chemical abuse, chronic and acute health problems, and lack of prenatal care.

Children born into homelessness are more likely to have low birth weights and are at greater risk of death. Homelessness also exposes infants to environmental factors that can endanger their health. Because homeless families often have little access to health care, many homeless infants lack essential immunizations.

Homeless children begin to demonstrate significant developmental delays after 18 months of age, which are believed to influence later behavioral and emotional problems. Young children who are homeless are often separated from their parents, which can cause long-term negative effects. Homeless preschool age children also are more likely to experience major developmental delays and to suffer from emotional problems. Despite these developmental delays and emotional difficulties, homeless preschoolers receive fewer services than other children their age.

By the time homeless children reach school age, their homelessness affects their social, physical, and academic lives. Homeless children are not simply at risk; most suffer specific physical, psychological, and emotional damage due to the circumstances that accompany episodes of homelessness. In general, homeless children consistently exhibit more health problems than housed poor children. Environmental factors contribute to homeless children’s poor health, and homeless children are at high risk for infectious disease.

Homeless children are at greater risk for asthma and lead poisoning, often with more severe symptoms than housed children. Poor nutrition also contributes to homeless children’s poor health, causing increased rates of stunted growth and anemia. Despite these widespread health problems, homeless children generally lack access to consistent health care, and this lack of care can increase severity of illness.

So, as you can see, homelessness is not something to be outgrown. Kids do not simply graduate from this condition.