11.6 million children are living in poverty in the United States. Out of 35 developed countries assessed by the UN, the US ranked 34th place, beating only Romania.

Children enduring poverty are more likely to live in high crime areas and to exhibit oppositional defiant disorder as a byproduct of witnessing traumatic events. Chronic exposure to violent acts impact development of the brain, opening the door to a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break.

Public and private initiatives for combating poverty during childhood and early adolescence are critical. Any effective intervention that helps children and parents from low-income backgrounds break the cycle of poverty is vital if the US is going to create an equitable future for its youth.