Comment: Children working overtime
When living in one of the world's richest countries, it can be difficult to understand that there are families where children and young people have to go without meals, proper clothing, medication, school supplies, and social activities. But this is still the case in Denmark, despite lower inflation and overall economic progress in society. This is shown in a new survey from Ramboll, which we have conducted in collaboration with the Danish People’s Aid (Dansk Folkehjælp) for the publication, Egmont Insight. Read the comment from Heidi Sørensen, Director of Egmont's Grant Administration, on Egmont Insight here.
The material deprivation can have not only negative consequences, such as for the children's health, education, and social activities. Often, the children also become mentally overwhelmed when the family lacks money.
They use a lot of energy to hide it from their friends. They withdraw from social communities that require money. They don't communicate their needs to their parents. And many of them carry such experiences alone. In an interview survey conducted by SUS - Social Development Center, 21 of them articulate how it feels to grow up in meager conditions. Moreover, they provide five strong recommendations for how to help children in the same situation as themselves.
The survey shows that the children are very loyal to their parents. They remain silent, grit their teeth, and do whatever they can to handle their own and their family's situation: saving, holding back, and trying to earn their own money. But as a society, we cannot allow children to bear such a large part of the burden of economic conditions they cannot change themselves.
We know that growing up in economic poverty has significant consequences for the well-being and life path of children and youth. They thrive worse than other children. They obtain lower grades in school. And they are less likely to start a youth education. Poverty leaves lasting marks and carries over into adulthood.
Reducing poverty in society is a political task. Denmark has signed on to this as the very first of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, in which all countries promise to halve the proportion of poor people in their own societies by 2030. However, as a society, we have a special obligation to protect the children and young people who are currently living in poverty. Providing them with the same opportunities to live a normal everyday life as their peers should be a goal that everyone can come together on: foundations, national and local politicians, professionals, businesses, cultural institutions, associations, and individuals.
Many organizations are already making huge efforts. But let's be honest: it's not enough. More is needed.
As a foundation, we aim to contribute in several ways
Firstly, with direct financial support, which has been a cornerstone of the Egmont Foundation for over 100 years. Today, we support through the program "En Håndsrækning" (A Helping Hand), which will distribute around 80 million DKK in the period from 2022-2025 for things like Christmas assistance, summer vacations, school supplies, leisure and sports activities, and much more.
Secondly, by reminding everyone - with these new studies and perspectives - that there is a great need for society to see, acknowledge, and involve the children growing up in families with very few financial resources. We encourage everyone to do more to find solutions that do not abandon children - leaving them outside communities with too many worries.
Thirdly, by urging and contributing to the collective conversation on how society can best reduce the negative consequences of economic poverty for children and youth. We hope that this first edition of Egmont Insight can provide valuable nourishment to that conversation.
Enjoy your reading!
Heidi Sørensen, Director of Egmont's Grants Administration