Being poor in the Western world? It does sound strange? But it is reality! There are many people, who are having problems making end meets. Lower income families try not to indulge themselves with luxury products like luxury clothes for their kids. They are living from paycheck to paycheck. When they have to buy new clothes for their kids their stress level rises. Also birthday parties of family and friends can lead to sleepless nights. How are they going to pay for all that? In order to keep up the appearances or to avoid social exclusion they start overspending. All this can lead to stress and significant financial problems. In the West it is called hidden poverty. According to The Netherlands Institute for Social Research the number of people living below the norm amount increased from 600,000 to 850,000 households in the Netherlands. The poverty rate is mainly increasing due to the current economic recession in Europe and the rest of world.
Poverty can also lead to eating disorders like for example obesity. Healthy food like fruit and vegetables are expensive. Lower income families are therefore forced to buy convenience food like pizzas, fries, frozen food and hamburgers. Convenience food is cheap, however also unhealthy. Unhealthy often means high sugar, high calorie and high fat food. In addition they have no money to pay for a sport club or for a gym membership. We all know a lack of exercise can results in obesity. But it can also have a negative impact on their future health.
I was astonished that in a country like the Netherlands 1 out of 7 children are going to school on an empty stomach. As we all know breakfast is an important start of the day. Studies have shown that kids who have breakfast perform better in the classroom. They will have more energy and a much better concentration.
How to fight poverty? On the one hand the government should simply start creating jobs and economic growth. How? The government should increase spending by borrowing at negative rates in the capital market. They should for example invest in infrastructural projects, to support innovations i.e. become Europe’s Silicon Valley, in education and in the transformation to green energy.
On the other hand it’s inspiring and heart warming that there are many organisations, run by volunteers, who are helping the lower income families. In the Netherlands there are 162 food banks who are distributing food to those in need. Furthermore there are organisations that are making sure that children are getting a healthy dinner at least once a week.
What can we do? First stop judging! Never be fooled what you see on the outside because on the inside it’s often a different story. Imagine how difficult a step to the food bank must be for them. Second we can work as a volunteer. Third we can donate money or food to the food bank. So next time when we see volunteers in the supermarket asking for food for those in need: let’s donate whatever you can give!
Author: Mr. Babblewell