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How many times have you turned on your television and seen the face of a starving child in a far off land? It is difficult to view these powerful images and not feel compelled to do something to help these children. What many Americans fail to realize is the fact that there are children similar to those on TV all across their own country.

According to a report in a recent issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, almost half of the children in the United States will live in a house that receives food stamps. These children range in age from one to twenty years old with over a quarter of children receiving food stamps by the time they are five years old. It is disheartening that children across this nation are just one step away from becoming the faces on the television.

This can prove to be a hot topic as many people feel strongly one way or another as to whether or not people should receive public assistance. Most consumers are not against someone receiving a helping hand when facing tough times, however in many cases it is those who need the help the most that fall through the cracks. In order to qualify for food stamps, a family must meet certain requirements. These may include the size of the family, monthly income, expenses and disabilities. The system is not perfect and many times the wrong people receive benefits while those who are truly in need are overlooked.

Using the data collected in over 30 years of annual interviews, researchers conclude the following:

  • Households that receive food stamps often do so more than one time. In most cases food stamps are used for short periods of time with just 19% of children living in a household that utilizes food stamps for three or more years in a row.
  • Race, marital status and education do play a role in whether or not a household receives food stamps.
  • Children raised in an impoverished environment are more likely to suffer from inadequate physical and mental health care. Sadly this often means children who grow up in poverty face an uphill battle to escape their childhood circumstances. Thus the cycle continues generation after generation.

This information is based on the data collected during the interviews previously mentioned. With more and more adults struggling to remain gainfully employed, the number of households that rely on food stamps to keep food on the table is likely going to increase. This affects everyone regardless of income bracket. Our children are our future and we need to make sure they are taken care of today to ensure they have the tools to lead us into tomorrow.