Childhood Poverty in Dallas and Its Solution Essay Example

do not get into their jobs on time. Consequently, their productive capacities in the job market becomes critically low and hence their income. In addition, lack of skills among parents leave most of them jobless as they fight to secure professional jobs. As a matter of fact, Illiteracy among Dallas’ parents contributes greatly to the worsening incidence of children struggling in poverty in the city. On the other hand, the incidence of teenage pregnancy sees an increase in the rates of childhood poverty in Dallas (Hallman). Teen mothers are many a times are left in poverty a situation that renders their children poor since they may not be able to afford them basic necessities such as basic education. These factors therefore explain the increasing incidence of the cities’ childhood poverty rates.

Although over the recent years Dallas has seen an improvement in the economy, children still suffer in severe poverty due to lack of basic necessities such shelter, medical cover, and food. According to Christopher J. Durovich, the “poverty presents a bigger challenge on academic performance, involvement into criminal activities as well as domestic unrests”. It is also surprising to note that the rate of children living under poverty in the city over the last two years has never changed. Research into the situation however reals that over the recent years, there has been a significant improvement in the child poverty in the city. For instance, over the year 2011, the number of children enrolling for medical insurance increased by 3% a margin that is considered higher that what was reported in 2007 (Jacobson). It is also pointed out that the number of children registering for

health insurance grew significantly between 2011 and 2015. This therefore shows that significant efforts are being put in place to eradicate poverty in the city.

The above image depicts the extent of childhood poverty in the city. Although the cities’ economy continue to report growth, most children do not have access to basic necessities such as shelter. The child here is sleeping a street in the midst of the city.

Solution

According to Turner (374), there has been a creation of the Dallas-Fort Worth economy region. This region has been a magnet for new companies and new residence. The region has so far been ranked among the first three U.S metro areas for the expansion of business, relocation and employment growth too. This has been a positive trend and it has led to the job increment by over 15% from 2004 to 2014The city should build wealth by encouraging private sector employees to offer ESL programs at job centers. Also the city should have plans to create awareness publicly on campaign about ESL and adult literacy in the region.

The city should consider creating trust in the community through developing safe zones and entrust this to the local government. This will encourage immigration to apply for citizenship that shall come with new skills, expertise which will help in the growth and development of this city and thus lead to a reduction in the level of poverty in the city (Eric & Epstein, 273).The city should also fight for the reduction of major expense like passing chapter 27 of the U.S constitution which calls for minimum housing standards. This will have reduced the housing costs and therefor cutting off the

accommodation expenses of the people. They should also partner with provider for free Wi-Fi to at least make internet connections available to the people.

There should be a focus on the children where they are provide with quality education and are helped to choose better careers so that they can be competitive in job market after completion of school. The children should be taught about sex and dangers of early marriages so that they reduce child school dropout that occur due to early pregnancies. Moreover, Creation of tax holidays would significantly alleviate the situation. These are tax breaks that have been given to this city. They have led to many business opportunities been created and extended in Dallas town. These businesses have led to creation of job opportunities and many inhabitants who were once poor now got jobs and can make a living.

There should be a minimum wage standard for the city contractors so that even as the city members work with these companies, they are also paid some good money which be able to sustain them and super boost them above the poverty line (Hanna & Marjanovic, 155 ). They should initiate a neighborhood program which staunches the middle-class bleeding and turns around improvised neighbors. This is a growing south program in Dallas that intents to economically develop three southern Dallas. This will remedy the Dallas who live a miserable living and are low-income renters who just share poor air conditioned units with pestilence.

Benefits

The enlightening of children on sex has greatly helped children to avoid early teenage sex and in the end avoid early pregnancies. This has benefited to reduce small families that cannot depend

on themselves and hence reduced poverty in a certain manner (Hanna & Marjanovic 156).The creation of tax free bases in Dallas has attracted investors who have created businesses in the city. They have ended up employing the people of the city and this has not only created job opportunities but it has also steered up the economic activity and development in the city.

When the minimum wage standard bill is passed, it guarantees any person living in Dallas to be paid some reasonable amounts as wages or salaries and this will make them at least to afford a life above the poverty line, definitely improving their living standard (Turner, 374). When the city fights for cost reduction like the maximum housing costs and they are legalize, they will have reduced the housing costs and this will make the people of Dallas city live in at least better house that they can afford which previously they could not afford.
Educating the children and having them pick quality careers if a grand idea because when these children are educated, they will get better jobs and come help their families get out of poverty in some way but also they have helped themselves by not adding up to the number of poor people.

The formulation and implementation of policies targeting childhood poverty in Dallas city has occasionally been stricken by a stream of challenges. For example, the maintenance of the children’s defense fund remains at a stake especially due to corrupt deals among government officials. Occasionally, funds intended for this fund are never collected. This is because official charged with the responsibility of managing the fund collude with tax payers hence

evading tax. Corporate entities also utilize tax loopholes thereby evading a considerable among of tax that is geared towards maintain the children’s defense fund. On the other hand, bodies formulated to oversee the attainment of child care such as the National Centre for Children in Poverty are continually receive political criticism. This is due to the political point of view that such bodies would usher in policies that would oversee corrupt deals that political leaders are involved in. furthermore, the leadership in such institution occasionally face the challenge of the conflict of interest. In other words, officials in such institutions may use their positions to satisfy their personal interests while ignoring the organizational goal. Occasionally, top management in such bodies’ award childcare to their families and friends while leaving out the poor who really require their attention.

Conclusion

The growth and prosperity of Dallas’ economy remain the job of the youth or her young generation. It is therefore of great significance the city with the support of the Texas government that measures such as the rising of minimum wage and proper collection and of taxes be put in place. The population as well need to take an initiative in controlling incidences of teen pregnancy as well as high birth rates in a bid to ensure that children obtain basic necessities and hence a declining childhood poverty. To sum up, there is an urgent need for the city to partner with the citizens in an effort of escalate the current situation.

Works Cited

• Bing, Eric, and Marc J. Epstein. Pharmacy on a Bicycle: Innovative Solutions to Global Health and Poverty. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2013.
• Hallman, Tristan. "Dallas Has The Highest Child
  

Poverty Rate Among Big Cities, And City Hall Isn't Sure How To Change It | Dallas City Hall | Dallas News". Dallasnews.com. N.P., 2016. Web. 8 Dec. 2016. http://www.dallasnews.com/news/dallas-city- hall/2016/09/07/dallas-highest-child-poverty-rate-among-big-cities-city-hall-sure-change