In all European countries, including traditionally egalitarian Nordic welfare states, there are children living in poverty. In fact, in the 28 member states of the European Union (EU), 28% of people under 18 are at risk of poverty and social exclusion.
In many countries, the gap between the rich and the poor is growing
Our country is at the tail of Europe, along with Greece, in capacity to reduce child poverty with social assistance. Before social benefits, the percentage of children living below the poverty line is 36.8%, after benefits, 29.9%. Social assistance only reduces child poverty by 6.9%. If we compare ourselves with Ireland, a country that has suffered an economic situation similar to that of Spain, its social benefits have managed to reduce child poverty by 32 points, from 49.1% of children at risk of poverty to 17, one%. Thus, Spain is situated in the second position in the list of European countries with the highest rate of children below the poverty line (as Caritas Europe warned), just behind Romania. If, in addition to taking into account the parents' income, we consider the level of household employment and the level of material deprivation, the rate of children at risk of poverty and social exclusion is even higher, of 33.8%, that is, more than 2,800,000 children.
Family income is one of the determinants of child poverty, but poverty is not just lack of money. It is a multidimensional problem and one of the main causes of violations of children's rights in Europe. It does not just mean that your basic needs - such as food, clothing or home - are not covered. It is also related to social exclusion, lack of access to services or that children cannot interact or participate in socio-cultural events with other children their age.
Anyway, in my opinion we return to money, and child poverty ... it will not only be the income that determines it, but they have a good part of responsibility, and more when many families have suffered serious regressions in their purchasing power. On the other hand, just yesterday, Eurostat told us that the five regions with the most unemployment in Europe are in Spain, it is not surprising that our children have so many shortcomings.
Our country is also leading the way in school dropouts and is the European country, along with Greece, where more budget is spent on households to cover housing expenses. 'All these figures represent real situations that are seen every day in boys and girls' Ensuring the protection of boys and girls from poverty is a legal obligation of the States.
Save the Children in a report presented yesterday, believes that poverty and child social exclusion should be tackled from a child rights approach. This would allow to face all aspects of the impact that poverty has on boys and girls, and would make it possible for them to be an active part in identifying solutions.
Research has found that the factors with the greatest influence on child poverty are redistributive interventions by states and employment (wages and working conditions). European countries with high inequality in employment conditions and with social transfer systems unable to redistribute wealth to benefit the most disadvantaged children, they have the highest rates of poverty and child social exclusion.
Equality in access to affordable child care and free and high quality education is essential to ensure equal opportunities and break the cycle of poverty
The organization has asked the Government to extend the benefit for families with children in their care by expanding the income scales for which it is granted to include all those families that are below the poverty line, allowing it to be combined with other aid State or regional.
