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Children living in households headed by unmarried women were more likely to be poor—42% compared to 9% of children living with two married parents. There are large disparities in poverty rates by children’s race and ethnicity.
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Care, Connect, Commit
Below are some suggestions of ways adults can help youth connect with their families, schools, and communities.
Connect in Your Family
- Hug your children, and tell them how much you love them.
- Make time to talk with your children. Be sure to listen carefully to what they say, and pay attention to what they do.
- Spend time with your children doing things that they like.
- Attend your children’s sporting events and performances. Be enthusiastic about their achievements.
- Be courteous and respectful to your children, and show that you expect courtesy and respect from them in return.
- Try to share as many meals together as a family as possible.
- Volunteer as a family.
It’s never too late to improve a relationship with a child or teenager. Don’t underestimate the great need that children feel, at all ages, for a close relationship with their parents and for their parents’ guidance, approval, and support.
- Connect in School
- Be a classroom volunteer.
- Chaperone school field trips.
- Assist at special events.
- Volunteer to be a coach for school sports.
- Lead an after-school program using your talents: start a reading club, teach a dance class, be a tutor, or share your skills in other ways.
- Connect in Community
- Volunteer as a community member of a coalition for youth.
- Mentor a youth.
- Clean up a local park or playground.
- Start a youth league.
Above are just a few examples of the many ways you can volunteer and make a connection.
Mrs. Laura Bush speaks during a Helping America’s Youth event at Wigle Community Center in Detroit, Michigan, February 10, 2005. White House photo by Susan Sterner.
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