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Economic Stress

Whether living in urban, suburban, or rural settings, individuals face the reality of economic downturns: being laid off, being unable to find a job, having difficulty supporting a family, or seeing the closing of community organizations or local services on which they depend. Economic challenges can affect feelings of safety, the ability to remain calm, relationships with others, and the belief that things will improve. When times are uncertain, people feel frustrated, angry, scared, or hopeless; they may have to plan new ways to overcome obstacles. As children hear, see, and read about what is happening in their homes, communities, and the world, they experience economic stress alongside their parents; when their parents are worried, children begin to worry too.