A new study shows that some kids in Aotearoa New Zealand are experiencing hardship!
Growing Up in New Zealand has released new research showing that one in five young people have experienced material hardship by the time they’re 12 years old. This means some families don’t have enough money to buy the things they need, like food, housing, and medical care.
But that’s not all! The study also found that some families move in and out of hardship at different times, meaning that some families might be doing well for a while, but then something happens that makes it hard for them to get by.
Dr. Kate Prickett, the lead researcher who led the study, said that it was important to understand what helps with children’s well-being. Longitudinal studies like Growing Up in New Zealand are essential for creating well-informed policies, she said.
The researchers identified four common trajectories of material circumstances across childhood: Material Well-being (78.1% of children), Mostly in Well-being (15%), Increasing Hardship (3.5%), and Persistent Hardship (3.3%). By understanding these areas, experts can work to support families who are struggling and help all children to thrive.
The study also showed that experiences of material hardship are linked with children’s health and well-being, which can affect their long-term health and education.
2 Responses
As a 12 year old kid in New Zealand I feel pretty speechless hearing about this,I mean it’s a little true, but that doesn’t mean this only happens in NZ, there are some great kids and families here. I’m sure that it isn’t just New Zealand relating to this, so this study is partly true, but strange.
Being a 12 year old in NZ i understamd that it can be hard but the famiys finantal staus doesnt mean that they are going rugh in school, Its what the other students do to us, from bulling to the kind ones. the people that we surround ourselfs with makes being any age hard at times.