Alabama struggles with number of children living in poverty at 27.4% (al.com)

By Kim Chandler
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on November 30, 2011 at 6:00 AM, updated November 30, 2011 at 7:30 AM

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- More than one in four Alabama children live in poverty -- a figure that has jumped since the recession began in 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau said Tuesday.

In 2010, 27.4 percent of children age 18 and under in Alabama lived in poverty. The percentage was 23.6 percent in 2007.

"I would call it a significant jump," said Linda Tilly, executive director of VOICES for Alabama's Children, an advocacy group. Tilly said the 2010 figure is high even for a state that historically has been plagued by poverty.

Alabama has struggled with generational poverty, which means families generation after generation have been poor. But now, Tilly said, job losses because of the rough economy are pushing new families below the poverty line.

"Now we are adding a new group to poverty because of the economy. Families who have not traditionally been in poverty are now joining that group," Tilly said.
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more: http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/11/alabama_struggles_with_number.html