The researchers found that in the three years studied, about 5.7 per cent of all Australian children were poor in all three years of the study, and this represented between 28 and 41 per cent of those in poverty in the first year. The study also suggested that there may be differences in the characteristics of families of children in persistent poverty and those in poverty in only one of the three years, with the families in persistent poverty representing the greatest problem to be addressed in any reduction effort.
However, as Bradbury (1999) states, the industrialized nations of the world have been more successful in reducing poverty among the aged, but in many countries the last two decades there has been a re-emergence of child poverty. Rates vary widely, but evidence shows that Australia has a relatively high child poverty rate. A more recent study (Fed:Child poverty in Australia increasing, study says [2002]) finds that the number of jobless families in Australia and the proportion of children living in poverty has increased. The study was by the welfare agency Anglicare Australia and is titled the State of the Family Report 2002, and it shows that poverty among children is significantly greater than among adult Australians, with an estimated 676,800 children growing up in jobless families. These children face a significant risk of living in poverty both now and in the future, and child poverty in Australia now stands at 12 per cent.
Theory
Evidence supports the view that poverty perpetuates itself, though the precise reason for this is arguable. Cultural influences are often cited for certain populations, notably the indigenous population, but extending this view to the general population raises numerous issues of class definitions and how to establish a baseline. The view that poverty is the cause of educational deficit often devolves to the view that the poor get what they deserve, as Connell and White note (1988, p. 14).
The influences on students are likely more complex, with culture, poverty itself, government policies, and economic realities all playing a part. Teachers face certain issues as well, as Connell, White, and Johnston (1990) point out. They also find that the educational system was created for
Programs have been put in place to address poverty and to offer assistance, though these are often based on a view of the poor as the "other" in society, again leading to the view that the poor cause their own problems.
Clearly, though, even if poverty contributes to the low educational attainment of the poor, this fact does not mean the poor are the cause of their own problems but only that the social structure, economy, and other influences are not structured so as to overcome the tendency to perpetuate poverty. Changes are needed to address the underlying causes and to make clearer the link between education and opportunity, and also to assure that such opportunity does exist and is also open to all.
References
Abello, a. & Harding, a., 2004, the Dynamics of Child Poverty in Australia, Discussion Paper no. 60, University of Canberra, http://www.natsem.canberra.edu.au/pubs/dps/dp60/dp60.html.[University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia]
Barrile, S., 2993, May, Managing successfully... managing diversity, Business 11(2), pp. 5-7.
Bradbury, B., 1999, Spring/Summer, Child poverty across the industrialized world, Family Matters 54, pp.65-69.
Connell, R.W. & White, V. (1988). Citation missing.
Connell, R.W., White, V., & Johnston, K., 1990, Poverty and education: Changing conceptions, Discourse 11(1), pp. 5-20.
Fed: Child poverty in Australia increasing, study says, 2002, March 14, AAP General News (Australia) [Australian Associated Press (AAP), AAP Centre, 9 Lang Street, Sydney NSW 2000].
Harding, a. & Szukalska, a., 2000, Trends in Child Poverty in Australia, 1982 to 1995?96, Economic Record 76(234), 236. [Blackwell Publishing, 550 Swanston Street, Carlton South, Victoria 3053, Australia].
Jean, P., 2003, June 20, Fed: Welfare agencies call for plan to halve child poverty, AAP General News (Australia) [Australian Associated Press (AAP), AAP Centre, 9 Lang Street, Sydney NSW 2000].
Labi, S.. 2003, August 18, Fed: Campaign launched to halve child poverty by 2008, AAP General News (Australia) [Australian Associated Press (AAP), AAP Centre, 9 Lang Street, Sydney NSW 2000].
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