The basic needs approach is often one of the main approaches to the determination of extreme poverty in developing nations. It attempts to precisely define the minimal absolute level of human needs, typically in terms of basic consumption products, for long term survival. It considers five basic needs: a clean water and food supply, clothing and shelter, health care and the ability to eat a reasonable amount of food at regular intervals. It may be argued that these are not needs at all, since life would not require these if there were no jobs available. Nevertheless, this definition is the most accurate measure of how much an individual can live on today.
In addition, it must be noted that these conditions tend to exist throughout the development process. Thus, they are often present even during periods of high development. They are especially relevant for smaller countries with smaller populations. However, they are also very present during times of poverty. For example, during the time of colonial settlement, they existed in order to provide food and other necessities for the settlers as well as future generations.
How to Define the Basic Needs Approach To begin, it is important to note that the concept of need has different meanings for different people, even when they are in similar situations. It is important to provide appropriate shelter to children as early as possible. Children need a safe environment in which to grow and thrive. They also need educational opportunities, regardless of their family situation. Finally, they need to have social protection in the form of family groups and community networks.
Where Do Children meet These Needs? The first category, education, occurs at both the childhood and adolescence stages. At this stage, children generally receive instruction from both parents and teachers. As children progress through the school years, they generally continue to receive instruction from both parents and school administrators. At school, children learn reading, writing, basic math, English, social studies, history, geography, and science; while receiving general socialization from classmates and other students.
Shelter: Children need shelter to encourage self-reliance and to prevent them from experiencing stress or negative emotions. The absence of a family structure provides children with an opportunity to develop negative attitudes, such as violence and delinquency. Some children experience significant behavioral changes as a result of insufficient shelter.
Food: Children’s needs also include access to nutritious foods throughout the day. Children at school will learn about healthy foods from their parents and teachers. At home, parents can prepare fruits and vegetables and children can prepare meals on their own.
Health and Safety: Children’s health and safety are also an important need. In the United States, schoolchildren spend approximately 90 minutes each day in public transportation. At home, children spend time playing video games, surfing the Internet, watching television, or using electronic media to facilitate escape from reality. Children are exposed to potentially damaging environments where they have no escape. At school, teachers often have inadequate guidelines for promoting healthy behaviors and they do not implement effective discipline methods.
Other basic needs for children include adequate sleep and safety. Children in daycare or in the early evening hours may be subject to unsafe environments. Teachers also fail to monitor the eating and sleeping habits of children, leaving them vulnerable to illness or serious injury. There are many programs available that help families gain financial security, foster family involvement, and provide children with opportunities for meaningful involvement in the community. These services vary by state and community.
Educational Affordability: The cost of sending children to private schools, university, or community college can be very costly. A solution for families who do not have the funds to send their children to a traditional learning environment is to engage in homeschooling. Homeschooling provides children with an academic environment that is consistent with the academic standards and curricula of traditional schools, but without the costs and disruption of public schooling. There are many curricula resource centers that offer a wide range of options for those who wish to homeschool.
Foster Care : Many families cannot afford to place their children in foster care. For children who need extra care and assistance in the life away from home, foster care is an option. There are a variety of children’s care options available, from permanent homes to extended family members to military families. Parents can also choose a placement agency that will match their child with a caring family.
Basic Needs: Child Care Providers Homeschooling ensures that children have consistent access to education and social interaction, even during times when the parent or guardian is not present. Additionally, homeschooling provides children with the structure and discipline they need to develop a healthy respect for authority, self-esteem, and responsibility. Homeschooling also allows children to learn in their own time, allowing them to pursue academic goals at their own rate. Learning in their own time allows children to maximize the resources that are available to them. This includes educational support for children who may be slower learners or who are experiencing communication or behavioral difficulties. The cost of daycare can also greatly reduce a child’s access to education and social interaction.
