How Poverty Impacts Canadian Children: Perspectives from Zeeshan and Karina Hayat

Poverty, while often discussed in broad economic terms, holds profound personal consequences for the children it touches. Zeeshan and Karina Hayat highlight that across Canada, 17 percent of children live below the poverty line, with the effects reaching far beyond their homes and daily routines. For these children, poverty is not just a statistic—it’s a constant companion that influences every facet of their development, from physical health to academic achievement and future opportunities.

The Cycle of Poverty: Generational and Systemic Impact

Zeeshan and Karina Hayat emphasize the uphill battle faced by children born into poverty. Research shows that the economic challenges experienced by parents can influence not only the child’s early environment but also their physical and cognitive development before birth. Financial stressors during pregnancy can negatively affect birth outcomes, leading to higher risks of developmental delays.

The effects don’t stop there. Growing up in a low-income household means children are more likely to face food insecurity, inadequate housing, and reduced access to extracurricular activities—all factors that influence their ability to learn, socialise, and thrive. These disadvantages often set in motion a generational cycle of poverty, with fewer resources and opportunities at every stage of life, which can perpetuate economic hardship.

Hunger: The Hidden Academic Obstacle

Zeeshan and Karina Hayat underscore the significant impact that food insecurity has on children’s academic performance. Without reliable access to nutritious food, children struggle to focus, retain information, and participate fully in learning activities. Often, low-income families must choose cheaper, less nutritious food options, which can lead to cognitive issues and delayed development.

For children experiencing hunger, schoolwork can take a backseat to more immediate concerns, like the stress of not knowing when their next meal will come. Long-term, this stress can manifest as mental health challenges and hinder academic progress, making it harder for these children to break the cycle of poverty through education.

Organizations like 100 Meals a Week, founded by Zeeshan and Karina Hayat, are actively working to combat food insecurity in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) and beyond, providing not just meals but essential items that uplift the community. Support their holistic efforts by contributing today and making a difference in someone’s life—donate today!

The Cost of Extracurricular Exclusion

Recreational activities like sports, art programs, and academic clubs are not just hobbies—they’re essential to a child’s social and emotional growth. Yet for low-income families, these opportunities are often out of reach. When children can’t afford to participate, they miss out on the benefits of teamwork, discipline, and creative expression, which are key contributors to both personal development and academic success.

Access to extracurriculars also affects a child’s ability to build social networks, which are critical for future opportunities. As kids in wealthier households engage in enriching activities, those from lower-income families may feel left behind, further widening the gap in both social capital and future prospects.

Education: The Cornerstone of Opportunity

In Canada, education is meant to be a great equaliser. However, in practice, children from lower-income families often face significant barriers to academic success. Schools in affluent neighbourhoods tend to have more resources, better technology, and access to extracurricular programs, while schools in lower-income areas may struggle with overcrowded classrooms, fewer books, and outdated facilities.

This disparity is visible early on. Children from low-income families tend to have lower literacy rates, score lower on standardised tests, and are less likely to graduate from high school or attend post-secondary education. Without the support needed to overcome these barriers, many students find themselves trapped in a cycle of underachievement, limiting their future career and life opportunities.

Affordable Housing and Its Ripple Effect

The rising cost of housing in cities like Toronto has forced many low-income families into substandard living conditions. Overcrowded apartments, frequent moves, and unsafe neighbourhoods all contribute to a child’s stress and anxiety, which can negatively impact their mental health and ability to succeed in school. Children living in these conditions often lack access to safe recreational spaces, libraries, or even stable internet connections—all of which are crucial for learning and development.

Housing instability also means that children from low-income families are more likely to attend under-resourced schools, further deepening the divide between them and their more affluent peers.

The Long Road to Equal Healthcare

Zeeshan and Karina Hayat also highlight the challenges low-income families face in accessing quality healthcare. From routine check-ups to specialized medical attention, children in poverty are at greater risk for untreated health conditions, both physical and mental. The hurdles are numerous—whether it’s long wait times for developmental assessments or the logistical challenges of getting to a doctor’s office, many families simply can’t provide the care their children need.

This lack of access to preventive healthcare can result in chronic conditions that follow children into adulthood, limiting their ability to escape the cycle of poverty. Without proper healthcare, children are more likely to miss school, fall behind academically, and experience long-term health problems that can affect their future quality of life.

Breaking the Cycle: The Path Forward

Addressing child poverty requires a multifaceted approach. It means investing in affordable housing, healthcare, and education. It means ensuring that all children, regardless of income, have access to nutritious food, warm clothing, and opportunities for extracurricular enrichment. Most importantly, it means tackling the stigma and systemic inequalities that keep children trapped in poverty.

As a society, we cannot afford to ignore the long-term impacts of child poverty. Every child deserves the chance to succeed, and by addressing these inequities, we can ensure a brighter future not only for them but for Canada as a whole.

What steps can we take as a community to support children living in poverty and help break the cycle of disadvantage?