Few programs aimed at root causes of poverty. Both at the government and NGO levels 'child poverty' is seen as a pressing issue. However, most programs and initiatives are focused on helping address issues faced by poor children. Very few programs or policies are aimed at the issue of 'poverty' as a root cause of the problems faced by children who live in poor families. It became apparent that an analysis framed by the determinants of health would be very useful.
Child poverty is an extension of family poverty.
The dependent nature of children clearly indicates that they cannot be held responsible for their social or economic status. Children are poor because their families are poor. Family poverty is an income issue. Child poverty becomes an extension of family poverty. Within this categorization of 'family', the research indicated that families headed by women are more likely to live below the poverty line therefore, they are poorer than are families headed by men.