Effects Of Homelessness On Homeless Children Essay

8318841 6 have to make sure he has food, he has clothing, he has a house,” said McInnes. (“Homeless Students: A Hidden Tragedy”).

The effects of homelessness on children can be crippling. Learning disabilities are another effect that homeless children face. In fact, “homeless children are twice as likely to have a learning disability, than children in stable homes.” (“Faces of Homelessness”) These disabilities begin at birth, primarily due to poor health conditions and lack of special care, during the mother’s pregnancy or their poor nutrition after birth and during their early years. While, homelessness puts children of every age range at risk for medical or psychiatric problems, school age children are faced with unique difficulties The medical aspects of anxiety and depression that school age children face are often what makes it impossible for them to obtain success in school. Their lack of attendance, often due
Whether it is health issues, lack of transportation, frequent moves, or the lack of social acceptance that the homeless child has to deal with, the stress that all of these factors cause has a major contributing effect on them. The changes that they are forced to deal with on a daily basis can become overwhelming to them. The constant changes and lack of a routine exposes the homeless child to stress levels that affect their outlook on life. This is compounded when they 8318841 11 sometimes have to deal with their parents feelings of hopelessness or inadequacy. As the homeless child ages, the stress level accumulates and contributes to their emotional behavior and development, leading them to have higher rates of mental disorders compared to their peers. These factors can often play a contributing role in the homeless child’s willingness to attend school