2012 candidates need to focus on child poverty

The 2012 KIDS COUNT Databook shows the importance of addressing child poverty now. More than one in five kids now lives in poverty, and research by child development experts shows that even short bouts of deprivation can have adverse affects in children’s lives long down the road.

Yet both candidates have now accepted their parties’ nominations with nary a word on how to address child poverty specifically. We’re trying to do something about that. Yesterday child advocates in Iowa, including Mike Crawford of our state member group Iowa Child and Family Policy Center, wrote, “Every four years, the United States elects a president — and at their best, these presidential campaigns set a future vision and direction for the United States. This occurs when voters and the media demand that candidates speak to their vision on important issues. Issues related to child poverty, health, and education are not the only issues that deserve attention, but they should be part of this important election dialogue and debate.”

Read the whole op-ed by Crawford and Sheila Hansen of Every Child Counts, and be sure to check out the 2012 KIDS COUNT Databook to learn about quality of life for kids in America!