More Than Adversity: Poverty as a Source of Potential Trauma in Children and Adolescents
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Authors
Knowles, Coreen
Issue Date
2018-11-01
Type
thesis_open
Language
Keywords
Child Psychology
Early Childhood Education
Alternative Title
Child Development Theses
Abstract
Poverty has long been understood to be detrimental to developing children. While is it commonly viewed solely as a risk factor for experiencing other traumas, I argue here that poverty should be seen as a traumatic factor in and of itself. To support this claim, I explore several systemic and individual aspects of living in poverty which can cause significant harm to children and adolescents. Topics addressed include housing, foster care, stress as a mediator of parenting, and chronic and toxic stress in children. I also address the effects of poverty on social workers and the practical implications of viewing poverty as a source of trauma for mental health clinicians. In addition to supporting literature I have included anecdotal evidence from my two years of social work internships in New York city within a low-income high school and a foster care agency.