No progress for financially troubled families: Children have to go without clothes, meals, and medicine
Children are heavily affected when parents cannot make ends meet. Despite lower inflation and overall economic progress in society, many children in Denmark still have to go without meals, necessary medication, or proper clothing. When families are under pressure, it also becomes more difficult for children to participate in communities with other children and youth, according to a new study by Rambøll conducted in collaboration with Danish People's Aid.
"I kept my son home because I couldn't afford his packed lunch."
"We have clothes that can be used throughout the year. No shorts or sandals."
"My son wears glasses as he is severely nearsighted, but I can't afford new ones, so he goes without glasses."
These are the accounts of three parents who are on welfare and financially strained that have sought support from the humanitarian NGO Danish People's Aid (Dansk Folkehjælp). A new study, conducted by Rambøll on behalf of Egmont in collaboration with Danish People's Aid, documents that such basic deprivations are far from atypical among 3,600 families in similar situations.
Affects leisure activities and communities
When families are forced to prioritize the most essential things, such as food and medicine, it can have consequences for children's extracurricular activities and their ability to be part of communities with other children and youth.
Among parents of children aged 6-17, 93% have recently had to forgo one or more of the following activities: participating in sports, going on school trips, going to the movies, having friends over, going on vacation, celebrating their own child's birthday, and bringing a gift to others. 76% of parents report experiencing at least three of these deprivations. See also Figure 2.
"Having a class birthday party is not an option as it is too expensive. My children haven't really had friends over for sleepovers and meals either. They would like to, but it's a costly expense," wrote one of the parents in an elaboration provided in the survey.
Today, access to digital communities also plays a significant role in many children's lives. This can include communicating with friends online and having digital experiences that can be shared with others. Both require having the necessary equipment.
In the survey, almost half (45%) of parents with children aged 10-17 said that in the past year, they couldn't afford a mobile phone for their child. In two out of three families (69%), the child had to do without a computer, tablet, or similar device.
The children come first
The study focuses on the children's deprivation but also provides insight into how the economy puts pressure on parents, both financially and mentally.
The results suggest that many parents prioritize their children's basic needs over their own. The proportion of parents who have had to go without meals, medicine, and clothing is significantly higher than the proportion of children experiencing these deprivations.
"I don't have a winter jacket for myself, as they are more expensive, and I'd rather my children don't freeze or get bullied at school - so I prioritize them over myself," writes one of the parents.
"I make sure my children are fed every day. But I often skip meals myself because I can't afford it. When the children are with their father, I only eat one meal a day," says a single mother.
Two-thirds of the parents indicate that they worry about their financial situation "every day." Among the most common concerns are the inability to go on vacation (67%), buy what the children really need (60%), and the overall uncertainty of the family's future situation (46%).
No improvement for struggling families
The study shows that many of the families are teetering on the edge of financial abyss.
Nine out of ten indicate that they wouldn't be able to handle an unforeseen expense of 3,000 DKK without having to borrow. And half of the families have had to take loans in the last six months to cover their fixed expenses.
In the fall of 2022, Rambøll conducted a comparable study among economically disadvantaged families on behalf of the Egmont Foundation. It was during that period when high inflation and, particularly, rising energy prices were putting pressure on many families' finances. Back then, 90% of the struggling families said that their financial situation had worsened compared to the previous year.
Today, with lower inflation and general economic progress in society, one would expect to see improvement among economically disadvantaged families as well. But that doesn't seem to be the case.
37% of parents respond that their financial situation is unchanged compared to a year ago - in 2023. 58% assess that it has worsened, and only one out of 20 reports an improved economy. See figure 3.
Zooming in on the specific types of deprivation in 2024, there are only small changes compared to the situation in 2022. In most areas, the proportion of those experiencing deprivation is slightly higher today.
The parents say
"The older one, who is 15, eats a lot, and honestly, I don't feel like I can afford to keep him fed. It's terrible to have to scold them because I can't afford to feed them due to hunger."
"I have a child with ADHD, and the medication is very expensive. We have had to postpone it until we have money again."
"He doesn't bring friends home because we can't afford to make extra food."
"My son is going on a school trip for the first time with his class. But there is a cost and pocket money that I cannot afford, so unfortunately, he won't be able to go."
"If I don't have money for a birthday present, I either decline the invitation or say the day before that they are sick so they can't attend."
"My daughter needs a laptop that they require for school. It upsets her, and it hurts me that I can't give her one. She hasn't been able to keep up in school because we can't afford for her to borrow from the school."
"The worst part is that they feel being poor is the same as being less valuable. Both of my boys are so intelligent, and I'm incredibly proud of them, but they just don't believe it themselves."
How the survey was conducted
The survey was conducted by Rambøll as an electronic questionnaire from May 8th to May 27th, 2024. It is based on responses from 3,601 individuals in families with dependent children under the age of 18, where neither parent is employed but relies on some form of transfer income or has no income. 82% of the survey participants live alone with their child/children.
The participants were recruited through the Danish People's Aid (Dansk Folkehjælp) database of families who have applied for assistance in the past three years. The Danish People's Aid provides direct financial support when needed during Christmas, the start of the school year, and holidays. In total, 32,009 former applicants for support were invited to participate in the survey.
The Danish People's Aid believes that the respondents in the survey largely represent their entire group of support recipients. The survey may not necessarily be representative of all families receiving transfer income but provides valuable insights into the experiences of financially struggling families and their economic hardships.
All percentages in the survey and in this article are reported excluding "don't know" responses.
Source: Rambøll: Survey on hardships among financially struggling families with children - 2024.
The entire report, along with the corresponding study from 2022, can be found at egmont.dk/insight and folkehjaelp.dk.