The number of poor kids in America has doubled and this may be the only solution

This article originally appeared in Fox News on December 21, 2023.

There is no reason to sugarcoat the truth: the world is in chaos. From Israel to Ukraine to the South China Sea, there seems to be an endless number of issues plaguing the world and challenging U.S. leadership. However, while the conflicts across the globe dominate the media and captivate the attention of citizens and policymakers across the world, there is a burgeoning problem here at home: childhood poverty.

Childhood poverty is not something that will galvanize the electorate nor gain the attention of the mainstream media, yet that does not make it any less serious of an issue. In the United States, the wealthiest and most powerful nation ever to exist, childhood poverty has reached record highs. While many may question how that is possible — if they acknowledge the issue exists — we, as a people, need to confront this challenge head on.

First, let’s look at the data according to the U.S. Census Bureau, which shows the number of children living in poverty in the United States doubled in 2022 — which is the biggest increase on record.

That brings the total number to roughly 9 million children. How did we get here as a nation? Well, when you look at the fatherhood crisis, economic turmoil and failing education system in this country, the answer becomes clear.

The fatherhood crisis plaguing this nation is one that is having damaging effects on families — and, indirectly, childhood poverty — in our country. For example, nearly 18.5 million children grow up without their fathers.

Not only is fatherhood essential for the development of children, but data shows also that children who grow up without their fathers have sizable decreases in academic performance in school, a lower likelihood of economic stability and lower opportunity at social mobility.

Therefore, it is not a stretch by any means to suggest that the lack of two-parent households with a father at the top has a negative effect on not only child development, but also increases the likelihood that a child will be raised in poverty.

Read full op-ed in Fox News.