An essential, and impossible-to-ignore, examination of one of the most
pressing, harmful, and heartbreaking problems facing our country: the
widespread poverty among American children.
By official count, more than one out of every six American children live
beneath the poverty line. But statistics alone tell little of the story.
In Invisible Americans, Jeff Madrick brings to light the often
invisible reality and irreparable damage of child poverty in America.
Keeping his focus on the children, he examines the roots of the problem,
including the toothless remnants of our social welfare system,
entrenched racism, and a government unmotivated to help the most
voiceless citizens. Backed by new and unambiguous research, he makes
clear the devastating consequences of growing up poor: living in
poverty, even temporarily, is detrimental to cognitive abilities,
emotional control, and the overall health of children. The cost to
society is incalculable. The inaction of politicians is unacceptable.
Still, Madrick argues, there may be more reason to hope now than ever
before. Rather than attempting to treat the symptoms of poverty, we
might be able to ameliorate its worst effects through a single, simple,
and politically feasible policy that he lays out in this impassioned and
urgent call to arms.
