Raising children that are healthy in all ways should be every parent’s priority, but this may not always be the case. Sometimes, the situation at home inhibits the healthy development of a child instead of promoting it. For instance, with over 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and this number projected to rise to almost 13 million by 2050, there’s a likelihood of a child’s caretaker suffering from Alzheimer’s. This can affect any children that they have, and the following are four other situations that would do the same.
1. Neglect
Children in a neglectful home are at a high risk of a number of issues. These include poor physical health, lower grades in school, a higher chance of dropping out, poor mental health, a likelihood of teen pregnancy, and more. These are all things that will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the future of any child in this situation so, it’s crucial to remedy it by removing them from the situation in question.
Neglect was the top reason why children in Kentucky were removed from their homes between 2010 and 2015 with 68.6% of removals being a result of it. Whether the parent or caretaker in this instance is knowingly or unknowingly neglecting the child, appropriate action needs to be taken.
2. Extreme Poverty
Extreme poverty is another situation that can have a negative effect on children. This is because studies have shown that children who grow up in poor households are likely to have development issues and suffer from other outcomes in later life. Children who have low-income parents have access to fewer learning resources and enriching experiences than those whose parents have a higher income.
Low-income parents are also more likely to be stressed and thus be unable to provide the affection and other care required to bring up a well-rounded adult. When poverty gets to the point of making it impossible for the children in question to enjoy regular, healthy meals on a consistent basis, the children’s health and lives may be at stake and make it important for an intervention to take place.
3. Violence
Violence is something that can have a profound effect on children, even if they are not exposed to it on a regular basis. It’s therefore important to raise children in a household and neighborhood in which they are not likely to experience or witness cases of violence. With this in mind, it may be a good idea to think about moving to a state with less permissive gun laws, among other factors.
This is still the case even though most states that allow permitless carry require that a person should be at least 21 years of age. They should also not be legally prohibited from owning a firearm so that they can carry concealed. Such measures should make a number of states safe to raise healthy children in, but if you find the risk to be too high for this, then it’s a good idea to start a family in a different state with stricter gun control measures.
4. Overcrowding
Finally, children brought up in overcrowded households may be negatively affected as well. This is because crowding can reduce the caregiving environment quality, and it can affect children right from infancy. The more the number of people per room, the more likelihood of having behavioral and cognitive issues. Parenting behaviors are also different in corded homes, with the caregivers being more punitive, less verbally responsive, and less sensitive.
These four situations at home can affect the quality of the children that you bring up as a parent, so think about them. If you can help it, fix those that you can and remember that any effort makes a positive difference.
