An editorial in today’s New York Times notes how “Bush-era tax cuts have done more to reinforce inequality than to redress it.” By and large, wealthy Americans continue to make out quite well, while those of more modest or impoverished means continue to struggle for any economic headway. The consequences of such gross inequality are diverse and far-reaching. Not surprisingly, those who are most vulnerable are often most impacted.

From Reuters, by way of the Boston Globe:

Kids in poverty have less parent time: Census

American children living in poverty or in single-parent homes have less interaction with their parents and are more likely to have trouble at school than youths in wealthier, two-parent homes, according to a report released on Thursday.

The U.S. Census Bureau report, “A Child’s Day: 2003,” looked at factors that affect the well-being of American youngsters, only the third time the agency has studied issues affecting children.

The agency found American children generally are doing well in school, have positive interactions with their parents and are engaged in activities outside school. But it also discovered some signs of trouble.

“Children living in families below the poverty level, children whose parents have lower levels of educational attainment and children in families with single parents tend to have less daily interaction with their parents, such as talking, being read to or sharing daily meals,” the authors said.

“Children whose families live below poverty and with lower levels of family income are less likely to participate in extracurricular activities and to be academically on track than children … with higher levels of family income.” [full text]