A recent estimate, based on 30 years of data, conducted by the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine show that almost 50 percent of all American children will use food stamps during some portion of their lives. Even more shocking, is that a staggering 90 percent of black children will be on food stamps during their childhood.

According to the Associated Press, researchers said that the current recession could make rates climb even higher.  “The current recession is likely to generate for children in the United States the greatest level of material deprivation that we will see in our professional lifetimes,” Stanford pediatrician Dr. Paul Wise said. In other words, on average every person knows a past, present or future food stamp user.

The researchers want to point this out as a potential warning sign to doctors.  Since so many children are affected, pediatricians should be on the look out for malnutrition in their young patients.

Food stamps are provided by the government for people and families who fall below a certain income level, for instance, the income cap for a family of four is $22,000.  The average monthly pay out for an American family on food stamps is $222.

The study also shows that a large segment of the adult population in the United States will use the food stamp program. Estimates show that over half of adults will use food stamps before they turn 65.

Our Take

It’s extremely sad that so many people need to use food stamps to get by.  While its good that a program like this exists to help those in need, more resources should be put into a program that helps people get better paying jobs so they can support their families.

Those using food stamps should not be looked down upon; it is an admirable trait to be able to ask for help when it is needed.  However, more programs to aid people in being self sufficient enough to not need the food stamps are needed.