Regent Task II

Government policymakers are studying trends that affect the youth of America in order to improve policies for the 21^st century. An article "Growing Up in America" which is from An Atlas for Youth in the USA states "Children are the most accurate barometer of the health and vitality of the nation", this statement means that the best indication of a country's standard of living is its youth. This article also points out that the social, demographic, and politico-economic trends are the most important factors that affect the condition of America's children. Economic growth in American began to slow down in the 1970's. Things are getting worse particularly for children. We can't avoid this problem anymore. I think the most important reforms of this problem need everyone to contribute something and provide supports, this includes both children and adults.

First noteworthy trend is demographic, as illustrated by the rapid growth of the elderly as a percentage of the US population. As the Figure 1 shows, the elderly currently make up 14.0 percent of the US population and children (under age 18) make up 26.0 percent currently. According to the text, between 1997 and 2023, the percentage of senior citizens will eventually be greater than the percentage of people under age 18 because the baby boom generation enters the ranks of senior citizens. Further, as life expectancies increase, births are expected to decline, resulting in a smaller ratio of children to elderly. Critical entitlement programs that provide much needed support for children will have to compete more vigorously with income maintenance program for the elderly. The children didn't receive any benefits. As Figure 2 shows, the economic situation of children worsened relative to the elderly. I think the government should provide balance supports for both senior and youth.

Second noteworthy trend is in American politics, "fiscal conservatism' has also had far-reaching effects on children and families. This politics is the government wishes to increase a sense of responsibility and family planning in welfare receivers by decreasing welfare benefits. The result of "fiscal conservatism" is fewer government programs help the families. In 1981, President Reagan signed into law the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. According to him, private industry should get more involved in child-care programs. Also, the Welfare Reform Act singed into law in 1996 threatens the safeguards of poor children by prohibiting the payment of welfare benefits to mothers who are minors and by denying increased benefits for children born to mothers currently on welfare. The children affected by this change must bear the immediate effects of living with less. I think the government should offer some program to ensure that children were adequately maintained. Some programs such as health care, housing, protection against abuse and neglect would help the families meet their basic needs.

Third noteworthy trend is social change. The affecting of youth is concerned with the increase number of single-parent homes, usually headed by mother. Children living in mother-only families are especially poor. In the US of 1970s, about 12.0 percent of the nation's children lived with only one parent. By 1989, this figure had increased to roughly 16.0 percent. I think the government should establish some programs to train the youth, let them learn to take care of their own and be independent.

As expressed by Martin Wright Edelman, founder of the Children's Defense Fund, "no country can be more than its children and the world it creates for them". Children definitely play important roles in the nation. Meanwhile, their problems have grown even larger. As we can see, social, demographic, and politico-economic are three noteworthy trends have had a negative effect that influence the US. However, Among the 122 signatories of the United Unions convention on the rights of the child, a landmark international treaty that sets out a comprehensive vision of the basic efforts nations must take to assure the viability of their children, the United States is noticeably absent. All of us should pay attention on children. I think the best solution is for all of us work together, help each other. The government should try to establish more public services and organizations in order to provide children with available assistance. I am sure all the children would have better living conditions if the society satisfied their needs.