Support Zone
The Credit Crunch and the Impact on Teens

1 in 5 of eleven year olds say they are concerned about the economy. 
Report by the Children’s Society.

So it’s not just adults who are feeling the financial difficulties, but children are suffering and feeling the stress too. 
Almost half of those aged 11 to 13 said their parents were worried about their economic situation.  (BBC Website)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7893416.stm.

Children have felt the pinch as pocket money, school trips and family holidays have been put on the back burner.  Older teens looking for work also don’t seem to have a chance because of the weakening economy.

It seems that Children are “on the front line,” Bob Reitemeier, Chief executive of the Children’s Society said and further added that this was especially the time to end child poverty.  Poverty campaigners argue that parents are losing their jobs and rely on state benefits and this affects those children who are near the poverty line already.  Focus again is on the government. Gordon Brown has set targets to halve child poverty by 2010 and eventually eliminate it by 2020, but this seems impossible to meet.
 
Hilary Fisher, Director of the Campaign to End Child Poverty said: "….how absolutely vital it is for the Government to invest in this year’s budget the £3bn that is urgently needed to reach its target to halve child poverty by 2010, and improve the lives of millions of children at this most difficult of financial periods."

A URSpecial teen representative was quoted saying, “I am concerned because the side affects will have an impact when I become an adult.”

In the meantime, it’s up to us the parents and teachers to support children to help them understand financial issue, the current economic situation and how to be wise with money.