Inflation worsens the struggle of families with children in Finland
SURGE in consumer prices has increased the number of children living in poverty and families relying on food aid, assess the experts who discussed the matter on YLE Radio Finland on Monday.
“The rise in prices has really had a radical effect on families with children” said Tiina RistikariDevelopment Director of Itla Children’s Foundation.
Ristikari told public radio that the number of children living in poverty has increased by about 30,000 to 130,000 since consumer prices started to rise, referring to calculations made in cooperation with Kela. He added that inflation has caused difficulties for many families with children – especially those with only one parent and several children.
According to the project manager, the rise in consumer prices has also visibly affected the entire food aid chain of the Finnish Red Cross Varpu Salmenrinne.
“The number of people in need of help has increased considerably. You see a lot of families with children there. Perhaps a more recent phenomenon is that young people seek help for their families there. It says a lot about the situation of families that young people take this responsibility,” he told YLE.
Ristikari reminded that families can slide into poverty for several reasons, such as divorce, illness or unemployment.
“There are different paths [to poverty], and it’s important to understand that it can happen to anyone. Some of us have networks, the ability to seek help, know where it is available, and so on. Others have less of that,” he said.
The Finnish system has many good points, but people often delay seeking help, he complained. “It’s humiliating to realize that you won’t make it. There is a large stamp. You don’t want to admit it to yourself or others, and that’s understandable. However, help is available.”
Aleksi Teivainen – HT