Editorial

Demand More for Georgia's Children
By Gaye Smith, Executive Director, Family Connection Partnership

Major gaps exist in the conditions and quality of life for Georgia's children, particularly for children of color, children living in rural areas, and children in low-income families. Too many children face challenges that may undermine their potential and leave them behind. How can a state so rich in history and community-and diverse in culture and economic opportunity-ignore these disparities?

Peter, 17, lives in rural Dooly County, where both his parents work low paying, full-time jobs yet struggle to make ends meet. His parents completed high school but couldn't afford to go to college. Peter struggles in school and is at risk of failing. If he drops out, his chances for future successes are limited.

How do children in situations like Peter's fare? According to our recently released report, Georgia 2005 Kids Count, 26% of white children, 51% of black children, and 67% of Hispanic children live in similar circumstances. One-fourth of Georgia's counties are doing poorly in three areas that can hinder a successful transition into adulthood-living in poverty, not graduating from high school, and bearing a child as a teen.

Poverty seriously impacts children's lives. Nearly 1 in 5 children in Georgia lived in poverty in 2002. Poverty is associated with a variety of negative outcomes including poor health, increased risk of abuse and neglect, poor educational achievement, early child bearing, and increased risk of delinquency.

The disturbing fact is that nearly two-thirds of Georgia counties have 30% or more black children living in poverty compared to only one county with more than 30% of white children who live in poverty.

Without at least a high school education, children are more likely to perpetuate the cycle of poverty and are at risk of facing economic hardship for themselves and their future children. The Georgia high school graduation rate climbed slightly to 65.4% in 2004, but too many teenagers are not completing high school. Of the high school students who do not graduate on time, nearly half are considered economically disadvantaged, and more than half are Hispanic.

Although the overall birth rate for teens ages 15-19 continues to decline, Georgia continues to rank poorly compared to other states. There were 53.4 per 1,000 births in 2003. Georgia counties reporting the highest rates of teen births tend to be smaller, rural, and characterized by persistent poverty.

Despite these disparities, there is good news. When it comes to child well-being, Georgia has climbed out of the 40s and now ranks 39th out of 50 states. We can't afford to sit back and relax. Instead, let's concentrate on positive momentum and use it to fuel our efforts to improve conditions for children in the areas that most urgently need our attention.

If individuals, communities, agencies, and policy makers work together, we can find solutions to the economic, racial, and geographic disparities that desperately need to be addressed.

The time is now to stand up and demand better for all of Georgia's children. We should all put aside different political affiliations, philosophies and beliefs, and accept that all Georgians have a responsibility to ensure that our children-our future-are given a fighting chance at success.