Children´s experience of living in a low-income family : a literature review

The purpose of this study was to examine what previous research says about children’s experiences living in a low-income family. Its aim was to found out what children themselves say about their life living in a low-income family and what consequences, practical and emotional, low-income environment has on children. More specifically our aim was to find out how children themselves experienced their situation compared with their peer’s economical situation. We also wanted to see if there were any differences between what younger and older children say about their situation. Furthermore, we wanted to find out what meaning they added to “normality” and how they related to that phenomenon. The study was based on reviews of nine qualitative studies from Sweden, England, North Ireland and USA – all published between 1998 and 2011, focusing on children and their experiences of poverty. Five themes were identified that seemed to be important for children’s experiences: life circumstances, relationships, children as actors, school and future. The analysis was based on perspective of normality, focusing how impoverished life circumstances put children in a category which deviates from majority of society. Main results demonstrate that there are big differences in how younger and older children experience their situation where older children showed more discontent and the younger children seemed more satisfied about their situation. Overall the children appear as actors which have not given up hope to change and impact their situation – there was a major will to fit in and be like other peers. As a positive aspect the study shows that relationships seemed very important for these children where friends seemed to be a good support and the family ties were strong.