Low Income Child Care Programs

Throughout the semester I have worked with various children's programs. The majority of my service has been done through the Boys and Girls Club organization where i have learned a lot about their early child care program. Many low income families cannot afford to have a parent stay home with young children, therefore the need for affordable child care assistance in crucial in society. Often single mothers or families living in poverty need a place they can leave their children that is reliable and safe. Organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club don't have the necessary funding to provide the necessary amount of care for each child attending. Volunteer efforts are extremely important to programs like this that do not have adequate funds to have the required staff.

Symbolic Interactionism examines meanings, labels and perceptions. Often children learn through example and from the people they are around often. Unfortunately the cycle of poverty affects numerous aspects of life. Low income families often have patterns of deviance, crime, lower education levels, etc... Children need necessary child care programs so that they do not go unlooked as they grow up. Often children who live in higher income homes get more attention both in school and their families. These stigmas and labels affect children from a young age and into their adult life.

Conflict theory looks at competing groups and the root cause behind societal conflict. Although children are often unaware of their situation, the affects of being rich or poor has a large effect on their life from an early age. While talking to one little girl in the class i volunteer in, i learned her father was in jail for stealing and she claimed that it was my mistake. When she told me this she made it sound like it wasn't a big deal. This showed me that children are unaware or do not fully realize of the hardships of life. That is why they need proper authority figures in their life to help guide them from cycles of abuse, neglect, and poverty.