Youth

Do charter schools succeed by leaving poor behind?

A Florida state government report that claims charter schools “outpace” their public school counterparts has been criticized by a University of Central Florida finance professor, who notes that the proportion of poor children in charter schools is 45 percent, as compared with 55 percent in public schools.  Once poverty is factored in, says Smith,... »

Poverty linked with teen pregnancy

The high poverty rate and low levels of education in the Southeast are strongly correlated with the region’s high number of teen births, according to a study by Auburn University.  The study finds that teenage pregnancy is an effect of poverty, and suggests that poor sex education and lack of access to health resources,... »

St. Louis hotels pledge to fight sex trade

Prostitution and human trafficking flourish in many of St. Louis’ upscale hotels.  Some victims are illegal immigrants, but most cases involve minors and young adults—many as young as 14–from across class and geographic lines.  Activists are pressuring hotels to sign a code of conduct pledging to protect children from trafficking, and many organizations refuse... »

The Role of Childhood Neglect and Childhood Poverty in Predicting Mental Health, Academic Achievement and Crime in Adulthood

This is an examination of the value of childhood neglect and childhood poverty in predicting Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), academic achievement, and crime in young adulthood. The study found childhood neglect and childhood family poverty uniquely predicted PTSD and adult arrest, while MDD was affected only by childhood family poverty.... »

Economy suffers as graduates return home

Recent graduates are increasingly returning home to live with their parents after college.  Life at home provides young people, both employed and unemployed, with financial stability that would be difficult for them to achieve living on their own.  Yet paradoxically, this thrift helps perpetuate the fragile economic conditions that made them unwilling to leave... »

Black teens face stark unemployment

The national unemployment rate for black males ages 16 to 19 stands at 45 percent, five times the overall jobless rate and double that for all teens.  Students struggling to pay for college are coming up short regardless of qualifications. That lesson was learned the hard way by one top-ranked student at the all-black... »

California lacks resources for homeless youth

Almost two-thirds of California has no services for the state’s estimated 200,000 homeless youth. Statewide, only 1,000 beds are available for them. The California Homeless Youth Project found that most are not in foster homes or part of the juvenile justice system, and do not have coverage or support from the state. »

Marriage may alleviate child poverty

There may be a connection between rising child poverty and divorce rates. The poverty rate among children has reached 20.7 percent, and can be reduced by more wedded couples. In addition, women with lower income levels have a smaller chance at choosing employed men. Though divorce rates have declined since the 1980’s, it has... »

Students in Rincon, Georgia, spent a night discovering what life is like without a home as part of a program piloted by the Rincon Church of God to give a face to homelessness.  Each student was given one can of food and a cardboard box to sleep in, without amenities such as a light,... »

Study forecasts increase in children living in poverty

A report issued by the Foundation for Child Development found that nearly 22 percent of U.S. children will be living in poverty by the end of 2010, up from just below 17 percent before the recession.  The report also suggests that up to 500,000 children may be homeless this year.  Family poverty increases many... »