How do we define this domain?
The term "living environment" focuses on the availability of economic and material resources that influence a family's daily life. A child's living environment is shaped by economic security, housing, employment, and food security. The living environment is sometimes also referred to as "basic needs".
Why is it important?
When families have too few economic and material resources to meet their needs, are unable to access nutritious food, and/or have limited access to safe and affordable housing, it can impact every family member's well-being. For children and youth, it can negatively impact their school performance, behaviour, problem-solving skills, and health.[1]
There are four concepts within the Living Environment Domain:
How does this align with our Child and Youth Charters?
This domain aligns with several charter statements from the WDG Child and Youth Charters of Rights:
All children in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph have a right to: (i) A quality of life that meets their physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual and social needs; (ii) Have basic needs met including nutritious food, a healthy environment and a safe and comfortable place to live.
All youth in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph have a right to: (ii) Good health by having our social, emotional, mental, physical and spiritual needs met; (iii) A place to sleep, clothes to wear, food to eat and supportive friends and/or family.
[1] Anderson Moore, K., Redd, Z., Burkhauser, M., Mbwana, K., & Collins, A. (2009). Children in poverty: Trends, consequences, and policy options. Child Trends, 11. Available at: http://www.childtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2009-11ChildreninPoverty.pdf