Glt1 Task 2
Child Hunger in America
By
Western Governors University
Abstract
The United States faces many social problems. One of these problems is child hunger. It has sociological origins and challenges for government and citizens alike.
Social Problem The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports 16.7 million children under the age of eighteen live in a household where consistent access to adequate amounts of nutritious food for a healthy life is not obtainable. This is called food insecurity. Although this is harmful to any individual, it has major implications for children. Nutrition establishes foundation for physical and mental health, economic productivity and academic achievement. Children are more vulnerable and have a greater potential for long term consequences.
Analysis of Problem Child hunger is a major problem in the United States. The number of children living in poverty increased 1.5 million between the year 2000 and 2005 (Food Bank for New York City, 2006). As poverty shifts food insecurity increases. This same time frame saw approximately a one million increase in children living in food insecure households. There are programs to address hunger. The three largest Federal food and nutrition assistance programs are: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and The National School Lunch Program.
The SNAP program has approximately 40 million Americans with 75 percent of its participant’s families with children (World Hunger Education Service, 2011). . There are three eligibility criteria. The WIC program serviced 4.3 million children in 2008. The cost of the program for 2010 was $7.252 billion provided by a grant program (World Hunger Education Service, 2011). The National School Lunch Program reached
By
Western Governors University
Abstract
The United States faces many social problems. One of these problems is child hunger. It has sociological origins and challenges for government and citizens alike.
Social Problem The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports 16.7 million children under the age of eighteen live in a household where consistent access to adequate amounts of nutritious food for a healthy life is not obtainable. This is called food insecurity. Although this is harmful to any individual, it has major implications for children. Nutrition establishes foundation for physical and mental health, economic productivity and academic achievement. Children are more vulnerable and have a greater potential for long term consequences.
Analysis of Problem Child hunger is a major problem in the United States. The number of children living in poverty increased 1.5 million between the year 2000 and 2005 (Food Bank for New York City, 2006). As poverty shifts food insecurity increases. This same time frame saw approximately a one million increase in children living in food insecure households. There are programs to address hunger. The three largest Federal food and nutrition assistance programs are: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and The National School Lunch Program.
The SNAP program has approximately 40 million Americans with 75 percent of its participant’s families with children (World Hunger Education Service, 2011). . There are three eligibility criteria. The WIC program serviced 4.3 million children in 2008. The cost of the program for 2010 was $7.252 billion provided by a grant program (World Hunger Education Service, 2011). The National School Lunch Program reached
References: Feeding America. (2013). Child Hunger Facts. Retrieved from http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/child-hunger-facts.aspx Michael. (2011). 20 Facts About Child Hunger And Child Poverty That Will Break Your Heart. Retrieved from http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/20-facts-about-child-hunger-and-child-poverty-that-will-break-your-heart Food Bank for New York City. (2006). Growing Up Hungry in New York City: An Analysis of Hunger among Children. Retrieved from http://metcouncil.brinkster.net/docs/Growing_Up_Hungry_in_NYC__FINAL.pdf Wikibooks. (2012). Sociological Theory/Structural Functionalism. Retrieved from: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Sociological_Theory/Structural_Functionalism World Hunger Education Service. (2011). Hunger in America: 2013 United States Hunger and Poverty Facts. Retrieved from http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/us_hunger_facts.htm