Mary is the single mom of two preschoolers. Her husband died last year, and there was no life insurance, so the three must live on what Mary earns as a full-time waitress at a local café.
In addition to just over $15,000 a year (minimum wage), her small employer is able to provide one week of paid sick leave and one week paid vacation. The family receives child care assistance. The children are eligible for Children's Health Insurance, but their mother is not covered. Mary struggles to meet her family's most basic needs.
The research is clear: Poverty is the single greatest threat to children's well-being. Lacking economic security, safe, affordable housing, health care, nutrition and quality education - especially during the early years, when 85 percent of brain development occurs - can hamper children's ability to flourish.
Such deficiencies also can contribute to social, emotional and behavioral problems, poor health and mental health. Risks are greatest for children who experience poverty when they are young or face deep and persistent poverty.
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20101107/VOICES/11070322/1052/OPINION01
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The heartbreaking story there shows how bad it can be if there is no life insurance. Shock stories like this don’t always get through as a society we’ve become more desensitised to them, but sometimes there is no other choice.
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