17 Impacts on School-Age Children’s Development

The growth and development of school-age children do not occur in isolation—they are shaped by the social, economic, and environmental conditions surrounding them. In today’s rapidly changing world, contemporary issues such as poverty, mental health challenges, educational inequities, and shifting family dynamics increasingly influence children’s well-being, behavior, and academic achievement. These issues can either support or hinder development, depending on how they are addressed by families, schools, and communities. This chapter explores several pressing challenges—ranging from technology use and bullying to nutrition insecurity and climate change—and examines how each uniquely impacts cognitive, emotional, and social development. Understanding these complex factors is essential for educators, caregivers, and professionals working with children to create responsive, inclusive, and supportive environments that foster resilience and healthy growth.

Contemporary Issues & Their Impact on Development

The development of school-age children is significantly influenced by a range of contemporary issues that affect educational systems, families, and communities. Understanding these issues is essential for educators, caregivers, and policymakers to create effective strategies that support children’s well-being and growth. This chapter explores eight pressing contemporary issues: poverty, mental health, educational inequity, technology use, family structure changes, bullying, nutrition and food security, and climate change.

Poverty

Poverty remains one of the most significant barriers to children’s development and academic success. According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2020), approximately 17% of children in the United States live in poverty. Children from low-income families often face inadequate access to resources, including nutritious food, healthcare, and quality education.

Children living in poverty may experience higher levels of stress and instability, which can adversely affect their cognitive and emotional development. Research indicates that poverty is linked to lower academic achievement, behavioral issues, and increased risk for health problems (Duncan & Brooks-Gunn, 1997).

Mental Health

Mental health issues among school-age children have gained increasing attention in recent years. The National Institute of Mental Health (2021) reports that approximately 1 in 6 children aged 2-8 years experience a mental health disorder, such as anxiety or depression.

Mental health challenges can hinder children’s social skills, academic performance, and emotional regulation. Children with untreated mental health issues may face difficulties in forming relationships, participating in school activities, and achieving their full potential (Wang et al., 2018).

Educational Inequity

Educational inequity, defined as disparities in access to quality education based on socioeconomic status, race, or geographic location, continues to plague the educational system. The National Center for Education Statistics (2019) indicates that students in low-income areas often attend underfunded schools with fewer resources and opportunities.

Inequity in education can lead to achievement gaps, limiting opportunities for affected children. Students from marginalized communities may receive less experienced teachers, outdated materials, and fewer extracurricular activities, which can hinder their academic and personal growth (Orfield et al., 2014).

Technology Use

The rise of technology has transformed the way children learn and interact. While technology can enhance educational experiences, it also poses challenges. The American Academy of Pediatrics (2016) recommends that children aged 6 and older should have consistent limits on screen time to promote healthy development.

Excessive screen time is associated with various issues, including reduced physical activity, poor sleep quality, and increased risk of anxiety and depression. Additionally, reliance on technology for social interaction may hinder the development of essential social skills (Twenge et al., 2019).

Changes in Family Structure

The traditional family structure has evolved, with an increasing number of children living in single-parent households, blended families, or families headed by same-sex couples. According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2020), nearly 23% of children live with a single parent.

Changes in family structure can impact children’s emotional and social development. Children from single-parent or blended families may face unique challenges, including economic instability and difficulties in adjusting to new family dynamics (Amato, 2000).

Bullying

Bullying remains a pervasive issue in schools, affecting children’s mental health and academic performance. The National Center for Educational Statistics (2019) reports that approximately 20% of students in the United States have experienced bullying.

Victims of bullying often suffer from increased anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The effects of bullying can extend beyond childhood, leading to long-term psychological issues and difficulties in forming healthy relationships (Espelage & Swearer, 2003).

Nutrition plays a critical role in children’s physical and cognitive development. Food insecurity, defined as the lack of reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food, affects millions of children. According to Feeding America (2021), 1 in 6 children in the U.S. may face hunger.

Children who experience food insecurity are at higher risk for developmental delays, behavioral problems, and poor academic performance. Adequate nutrition is essential for cognitive function, growth, and emotional well-being (Grantham-McGregor et al., 2007).

Climate Change

Climate change presents a growing concern that impacts children’s health, safety, and overall development. Extreme weather events, air pollution, and other environmental changes disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including children.

Children are particularly susceptible to the effects of climate change, including respiratory issues from air pollution and mental health challenges related to natural disasters. Additionally, climate anxiety—concerns about the future of the planet—can affect children’s emotional well-being (Orr et al., 2020).

Contemporary Literature Connections

Book Summary: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt addresses the growing mental health crisis affecting today’s adolescents and young adults. In this insightful book, Haidt explores the alarming rise in anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, focusing on how these issues disproportionately affect younger generations. Haidt identifies a combination of societal, technological, and cultural shifts that have contributed to this dramatic increase in mental health struggles. One key factor he points to is the rapid rise of social media, which has significantly altered how young people interact, socialize, and perceive themselves. He argues that these online platforms foster a culture of comparison, where youth are constantly exposed to curated and idealized versions of others’ lives, leading to feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and anxiety.

A major aspect of Haidt’s argument is the way social media has reshaped social interactions. In the past, young people engaged in face-to-face conversations, developing social skills and building deeper, more meaningful relationships. However, social media has replaced much of this in-person interaction with superficial online connections, where communication is often fragmented and fleeting. Haidt discusses how the constant need to be “online” can increase stress and feelings of being overwhelmed. The advent of platforms like Instagram and Snapchat has also created a culture of constant performance, where young people feel the pressure to present an idealized version of themselves. This constant pressure to maintain a “perfect” online persona can exacerbate feelings of insecurity and anxiety, especially when young people receive negative feedback or experience cyberbullying.

Another critical aspect that Haidt highlights is the shift in parenting styles over the past few decades, which has contributed to a generation more prone to anxiety. Parents have become increasingly protective and risk-averse, often shielding their children from the kinds of challenges and discomforts that were once considered normal parts of growing up. This overprotection, known as “helicopter parenting,” prevents young people from learning to cope with failure, disappointment, or adversity. Haidt argues that this lack of exposure to manageable stressors and the absence of a “growth mindset” have led to a generation that struggles to handle stress or failure, further fueling anxiety. The tendency to shelter children from the natural ups and downs of life may inadvertently stunt their emotional development, leaving them ill-equipped to navigate the pressures of adulthood.

Haidt also examines the broader cultural shifts that have contributed to the rise in mental health challenges among young people. He critiques the increasing political polarization, which has created a sense of division and heightened stress among young people, especially those in university settings. The culture of victimhood and the overemphasis on safety and comfort, he suggests, have further contributed to a generation that is more likely to perceive the world as a threatening place. This mindset, combined with the rise of social media, creates a feedback loop that reinforces anxiety and prevents young people from developing resilience. Haidt points out that the need for constant emotional safety and the avoidance of discomfort have stifled the development of the coping skills necessary to manage life’s challenges.

In the final sections of the book, Haidt offers solutions and calls for societal changes that can help reduce anxiety among younger generations. He advocates for a return to promoting resilience and self-efficacy in both education and parenting. Haidt stresses the importance of encouraging young people to engage in real-life interactions, where they can develop empathy, learn to resolve conflicts, and build authentic relationships. He also suggests that schools and parents should prioritize emotional intelligence and teach young people healthy coping strategies to deal with stress, rather than shielding them from it. By fostering resilience and providing opportunities for young people to face challenges head-on, Haidt believes that society can help reverse the trend of rising anxiety and depression, allowing future generations to thrive in an increasingly complex world.

Book Summary: The Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt

The Coddling of the American Mind (2018) by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt explores how well-intentioned efforts to protect young people have unintentionally harmed their development, particularly in the realms of resilience, critical thinking, and emotional health. The authors argue that three “Great Untruths”—what doesn’t kill you makes you weaker, always trust your feelings, and life is a battle between good and evil people—have gained traction in American culture, especially on college campuses, and are deeply counterproductive to healthy psychological development.

Lukianoff and Haidt trace the roots of these cultural shifts, highlighting how increased parental overprotection, reduced exposure to free play, and the rising influence of social media have contributed to a generation less prepared to cope with discomfort, disagreement, and failure. Like in The Anxious Generation, they point to the rise of social media and “helicopter parenting” as major contributors to increased anxiety, depression, and emotional fragility among youth.

The authors are particularly concerned with the effects of these trends in educational environments. They note that many schools and colleges now emphasize emotional safety to a degree that discourages open dialogue, resilience, and intellectual challenge. This overemphasis on comfort, they argue, prevents students from developing the critical thinking and conflict resolution skills needed in adult life.

Importantly, Lukianoff and Haidt provide a roadmap for improvement, including encouraging greater independence in children, promoting free play, fostering cognitive behavioral approaches to emotional regulation, and creating educational environments that balance empathy with exposure to diverse and challenging ideas. Their work underscores the importance of helping children and adolescents face manageable challenges to build resilience—a theme relevant for educators preparing to support school-age development in a rapidly changing world.

Conclusion

The development of school-age children does not occur in a vacuum. It is shaped by a complex web of contemporary issues that touch every aspect of their lives. Poverty, mental health struggles, educational inequities, and the evolving role of technology all present unique challenges that can hinder children’s emotional, cognitive, and social growth. Changes in family structures, bullying, food insecurity, and the looming threat of climate change further compound these difficulties, influencing children’s ability to thrive in school and in life.

Authors such as Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff have drawn attention to broader cultural shifts that also impact development, including the rise of social media, overprotection, and the decline of unstructured play and free exploration. These influences not only shape the way children learn and interact with their peers, but also affect their ability to develop critical skills such as resilience, independence, and emotional regulation.

For future educators, especially those preparing in community college programs—understanding these issues is vital. Teachers are in a unique position to foster safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments that counterbalance many of these challenges. By emphasizing emotional intelligence, equity, and real-world learning experiences, educators can help school-age children not only overcome adversity but flourish in spite of it. The key is not to shield students from every difficulty, but to equip them with the tools, confidence, and compassion needed to face a complex world head-on.

References

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