Most of us have all heard the phrase “pull yourself up.” It means getting out of a situation or taking personal responsibility to change one's situation. But how can anyone, especially a child, pull themselves up by their bootstraps if they don't have boots? In America, a silent epidemic is hitting every state. Yet, no one talks about it. Poverty is not just a phenomenon that we see happening in distant countries. How many children do you think live in poverty today? According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, more than 15 million children live in poverty in the United States. Child poverty is neither inevitable nor immune from efforts to address it. This is something that can be eliminated if we, as a society, actually decide to do so. I hope the frankness of my speech reflects how important it is for all of us to take poverty seriously. Webster's Dictionary defines poverty as "the state of a person lacking a customary or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions." Child poverty is the condition of a child finding themselves in a situation where they live below the federal poverty line. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Poverty not only affects adults, but also has negative consequences on children. The American Psychological Association states that "psychological research has demonstrated that living in poverty has a wide range of negative effects on the physical and mental health and well-being of our nation's children." Poverty impacts children in their different contexts, at home, at school, in their neighborhood and in their community. The discouragement felt by children living in poverty goes beyond lack of money, but also leads to poor health. A child's experience of poverty puts them at a disadvantage in more ways than financial. Children living in poor areas risk being stuck in a continuing cycle of poverty as adults. The antecedent to adult poverty is often growing up in poverty during childhood. The Children's Defense Fund, a national children's advocacy organization, states that “child poverty fuels an intergenerational cycle of poverty. The cumulative effects of child poverty can have lasting consequences into adulthood. » Children in the United States and around the world deserve better than what society does for them. Poverty puts many children at risk from the moment they begin life. In the September 26 web issue of The Economist, it was noted that "child poverty often leads to adult poverty and all its problems: psychological distress, exposure to crime and loss of productivity." No child should have to worry about where their next meal will come from or deal with not having enough of the basic things that many take for granted. » Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers.Get a custom essayIn conclusion, childhood poverty can be a difficult cycle to break and can be experienced across generations of the family. Poverty harms a child's mental, physical, emotional and spiritual development. We must work to broaden our understanding of poverty and become aware of the negative consequences it can have not only on adults but also on..