Ability or Social Status: Child Poverty

    Morocco’s High Commission for Planning in 2021 released a study, stating that around 13% of the Moroccan population fell below the poverty line (Sauers, 2021). Although somewhat outdated, Morocco continues to advance itself year after year. I still believe that poverty is a huge problem in Morocco, especially among children. 

    Exploring Casablanca, I first realized the number of children wandering the streets by themselves with dirt on their faces and in need of a shower. These children, usually carrying and attempting to sell tissues, were completely alone without a parent in sight. As I continued to explore the city and walk towards the beaches of Casablanca, I saw some middle school-aged students staring at me. As I walked near them, they demanded that I "give them money." Fast-forward to Tangier and Fes, and children continued to approach me in the group. Fortunately, I was able to communicate with one of the children who was about 10 years old and understand his situation better. He said in fluent Spanish that his mom was at home watching his siblings, and she is a single mother because his dad passed away. He was on the streets of Tangier all day trying to make a living. This is vastly different from the children decked out in fancy soccer jerseys playing games on pristine pitches nearby. Why is there such a gap in lifestyles between these children? Why are children expected to earn money at such a young age? How can children be supported to be protected from this lifestyle?  Practically speaking, developing countries have large variances in social status. Post-COVID-19, the government has begun to subsidize the community, leaving a positive impact on the poor (Abdelkhalek and Boccanfuso, 2024). The government providing money to the community is extremely helpful, but not enough. Students who are considered impoverished need to have access to the same resources as their wealthier counterparts. This starts with education. Also, rural communities in which children reside need to be treated seriously. Morocco is very large, with farmland and almost desolate areas, and towns. Children who live in rural areas need to be supported and gain access to resources that can help them get out of this cycle. 

    I believe that child poverty is a serious issue in Morocco and does not have many easy fixes. It definitely starts with the government, but the children need to be provided with the same resources and support that wealthier children are receiving. 

Abdelkhalek, T., & Boccanfuso, D. (2024). Generalization of family allowances and impact on monetary child poverty and vulnerability in the post-covid period in Morocco. Applied Economics, 57(21), 2711–2725. https://doi.org/10.1080/00036846.2024.2331035

Sauers, Michael. “Study: Household Income Shows Large Inequalities in Morocco’s Society.” Morocco World News, 29 Apr. 2021, www.moroccoworldnews.com/2021/04/59425/study-household-income-shows-large-inequalities-in-moroccos-society/#:~:text=50%25%20of%20urban%20households%20earn,falls%20below%20the%20poverty%20line.