The relationship between child abuse and poverty is often cyclical. While poverty may be one of the factors that contributed to child abuse, child abuse in turn can result in lower socioeconomic status for the victim later in life. Research shows that children who are abused are more than twice as likely as their non-abused peers to face adult impoverishment. Child abuse directly influences a child's developing brain, and alters the child's responses to his or her environment. When children do not learn how to connect with their surroundings, their peers, and their society, they develop into adults that may struggle to function in the workplace. In addition, child abuse survivors may face numerous mental, physical, and social obstacles. When compared with their non-abused peers, child abuse victims statistically complete less schooling, have medical concerns, and experience mental health problems that interfere with procuring and maintaining employment. Child abuse victims are also more prone to substance abuse, criminal activity, violent behavior, social anxiety, and re-victimization. These all hinder efforts at gainful employment.
Child abuse victims do not have the same opportunities for healthy growth and development as their non-abused peers. Unaddressed childhood maltreatment increases likelihood of long-time negative socioeconomic outcomes and also increases the probability of generational poverty and abuse. But once the abuse is stopped and recovery begins, abused children can begin to focus on growing and learning. When abused children receive help and find healing, they are more able to develop intellectually, socially, and emotionally, which will assist them in their adult economic well-being.
