It is no coincidence that an inverse correlation exists between poverty and education. Most individuals living in poverty are most likely to have little to no access to proper education. The lack of excellent schools suppresses a family from learning basic skills, such as reading and writing. Without these two, their number of opportunities is limited, if not, near non-existent.
Therefore, the absence of affordable education for those living in poverty places them in a cycle where escape seems impossible. While there will be individuals who manage to free themselves and start a better life, the same cannot be said for most families. Luck, or the arrival of a golden opportunity, is rare, and not everyone will encounter it throughout their lifetime.
Given the inverse correlation between poverty and education, society must address its problems and provide proper schooling access to families from poor communities. Doing so is one of the first steps toward ending the effects of poverty.
However, it is also important to be aware of the effects of poverty. While access to proper education is an excellent method of ending the cycle, it is a long-term process. Providing short-term aid to poor families should never be forgotten as the comfort they get from these can support them in their studies.
Before diving into how education can help end the struggles of those living in poverty, here are some of the notable effects that this issue has. Continue reading this article for more information.
The 4 Effects of Poverty
The various effects of poverty stem from multiple sources. The following are some of the causes behind this social issue:
- Lack of job opportunities
- Inequality
- No access to clean water and food
- Climate change
Solving them requires cooperation from various public and private sectors, significant resources, and time. Ending the effects of poverty by overcoming its causes does not happen overnight. However, one of the first steps to a brighter future is providing education to families living in poverty.
The following are some of the effects of poverty that proper education can help alleviate:
- Poor Health
Lack of access to education results in lower knowledge regarding disease prevention. Therefore, families living in poverty have a higher risk of malaria, tuberculosis, and STDs.
While some of it is due to being unaware of factors that can cause health issues. There are those complications that are nearly impossible to avoid for families living in poverty. For example, vaccines exist to help an individual fend off serious illnesses. Without them, people, especially children, are at risk of fatal diseases which could have been prevented.
Another reason is their living conditions. Poor sewage systems may cause stagnant water, where mosquitoes are free to breed. An increase in the population of these insects increases the risk of dengue in nearby households. Other pests, such as cockroaches and rodents, are known carriers of leprosy, leptospirosis, and typhoid fever.
- Increase in Crime Rate
The absence of work opportunities for those living in poverty forces them to resort to a life of crime. At the end of the day, everyone has to make ends meet. While some are free from worrying about this problem, others see illegal activities as their only option.
While increasing the number of available jobs is a possible solution, it cannot stop people from resorting to crime. Aside from this, access to proper education equips families living in poverty with the necessary skills and qualifications that allow them to land a stable occupation.
- Poor Performance in School
Without proper funding, children living in poverty are more likely to perform poorly in schools. Students with part-time jobs attend classes feeling tired due to balancing work and school responsibilities.
- High Child Mortality Rate
As stated previously, a lack of awareness regarding disease prevention places children living in poverty at a higher risk of acquiring fatal illnesses. Additionally, health issues that shouldn’t be a serious concern turn worse due to insufficient funds to purchase medicine.
Therefore, solving the effects of poverty requires society to provide families with access to quality education. There are multiple reasons why this is necessary if a community wishes for a long-term solution to ending the cycle.
Continue reading this article to find out more about these 4 reasons why education can alleviate the effects of poverty.
Reasons Why Education Can Help Solve the Effects of Poverty
Before diving into why education can help end the effects of poverty, keep in mind that there is no one solution to this social problem that can guarantee a long-term end to it. Poverty is a complex issue covering several aspects of human life. Therefore, members of society must work as one to fight and help families living in poverty to escape the cycle.
In this last part of the article, the following are some of the reasons why proper education can help solve the effects of poverty:
- Increases Personal Income
The skills an individual acquires from school are vital in determining whether they have the necessary qualifications for a job opportunity. Even something as simple as being able to read and write widens the available options a person has.
- Reduces Infant Mortality
For people taking care of children, being aware of diseases and how to prevent them is crucial in ensuring their kids can survive.
Additionally, women who have more knowledge regarding their bodies have increased awareness regarding signs of pregnancy and how to care for their bodies.
- Lowers Disease Transmission
Proper sex education allows families living in poverty to be aware of the necessary precautions regarding STDs and how to prevent them.
- Economic Growth
Individuals who reach higher educational attainment are more likely to land jobs with better benefits. Economic growth stems from children who can spend more time in school. School attendance leads to kids becoming eligible for stable jobs encouraging them to purchase goods and services. Therefore, an increase in market consumption allows companies to open more job opportunities to meet the growing demand, which helps the economy grow.
Conclusion
The inverse correlation between poverty and education is an evident sign that shows us a possible solution to ending this problem. Therefore, addressing the educational inequality present in schools in poor communities should be one of the top priorities organisations should consider.
Once again, keep in mind that education is not the sole solution to addressing the effects of poverty. This complex issue requires multiple projects and cooperation from various sectors of society. Additionally, there is no quick option to ending the cycle of poverty. Due to this reason, patience and perseverance are necessary for solving this problem.
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