US kids feel grown-up stress in slumping economy

It is sad to see how hard some of our nation's youth have been hit due to the bad economy. I cannot even imagine thinking at 10 years old that I would need to get a job to provide for my family. That just should not happen as school is a necessity at that early of an age. There probably is a lot more of infighting and argument within the homes around the country with parents struggling to make ends meet. There is no way that children can benefit from those arguments or being forced to stay up until midnight to help make things that can be sold on the street simply to buy groceries. Children should be having fun and cherishing the most exciting times of their lives because once you start to work, you do not normally have a chance to relive those memories. I would hope that more schools around the country realize some of the difficulties facing their students and prepare activities and community service drives that illustrate the importance of giving back and helping those in need. If a child comes to school tired and hungry due to lack of funds available at home, a food drive may just teach the child the importance of sharing and allow for the child to become appreciative of those who have given up things to provide for the child.