April 12, 2022

Sam&: More than half of all children in the Netherlands know a child who grew up in poverty

Many low-income households are finding it even harder to make ends meet due to rising energy prices, more expensive groceries, and high prices at the pump. Children who grow up in poverty are often the victims of this and this does not go unnoticed among their peers. For example,More than half of all children have or think they know a child who is growing up in poverty, according to research* by the Sam& partnership for all children, of which the Youth Fund for Sport & Culture is a part.

The research shows that there is a high level of awareness about poverty among children themselves: a staggering 9 out of 10 children believe they know that child poverty also exists in the Netherlands. The most frequently mentioned signs of children in poverty are: never going on vacation (73%), always wearing the same clothes (60%), and never doing fun things (54%).

But most children overlook the fact that poverty also encompasses less luxurious things like celebrating your birthday, inviting friends over, or simply being able to cycle to school. For example, 7 out of 10 children in the Netherlands consider it normal for children to take music, sports, or dance lessons, and understandable that all children in the Netherlands have a bicycle.

My classmates thought it was strange that we had less money. We lived on a weekly budget between my mother, brother, sister, and me. That wasn't much, so I couldn't and didn't have the same things as the other kids in my class. I was sometimes bullied because of it. Things are a little better now, but we still have to make choices. Luckily, I have many sweet friends around me.
– Romy, 13 years old.

Big impact

Children are not only aware of this poverty but also of the consequences it can have. For example, more than 8 out of 10 children feel excluded if they can't participate in activities that other children their age can. More than two-thirds also believe that children in under-resourced families worry more often than other children. And half believe that children growing up in poverty are more likely to experience developmental delays.

“AAll children dream of doing fun things, belonging, and participating with their peers. But for children growing up in families with less money, this isn't a given. This has a major impact on a child's development. The partnership wants to ensure that these dreams don't remain just dreams, but are fulfilled by making all kinds of activities within reach.
– Huib Lloyd, director of Sam& and director of the Jarige Job Foundation.

About Sam&

For this reason, Sam& is launching a campaign for all children. It aims to inform parents with financial concerns that support is available and to help them access the resources they need. Sam& for all children is a partnership between Leergeld Nederland, the Youth Fund for Sport & Culture, the Jarige Job Foundation, and the National Fund for Children's Aid.

*Read the message including numbers on the Sam&'s website.