30 Adults Who Were Poor While Growing Up Share What They Never Had As Kids

Even today, more than 10 million children in the US live in poverty.

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• April 2, 2022

Kids don't think much about their appearances, possessions, or how much money their parents make when they're growing up. All they require is the presence of healthy and loving family members who will look after them.

However, things change when people start comparing their family's status and money to their peers. That usually happens when they start kindergarten and school and get in touch with the outside world more.

(kids from low-income families don't get around much before starting school). And then the reality hits and needs and wants start showing themselves.

"Former poor kids: what are some items you have in the house that you *never* had as a kid, things your not-poor peers would never consider luxuries?" writer and publicist Victoria Barrett asked her Twitter followers.

The topic brought back some painful recollections and a flood of tweets from people who grew up in low-income families. Whether it was fresh fruit, shoes, or bathrooms, the thread demonstrated that most people take for granted items that were considered a luxury by disadvantaged youngsters.

Check out some of 30 of the most enlightening responses below. They are heartbreaking.

But they also teach us that we should be grateful for what we have.

1. Takeaway

2. Dad, shoes, a house...

3. New zip-lock bags

4. Snacks, healthy food, eating out...

5. Money in one home, love in other...

6. Oliver Twist story...

7. More socks...

8. When both parents grew up poor...

9. A diaper is ready to be changed when it starts leaking...

10. Not enough toilet paper

11. Bulk items...

12. Running water

13. Just being able to buy what you need when you need it...

14. A toilet...

15. A bedroom and a car that works...

16. Silence, peace and safety

17. Such a long list...

18. AC, dishwasher...

Victoria Barrett's tweet went viral rapidly, touching the emotions of tens of thousands of people. People recognized it as a highly emotional link and began to share their own stories.

Many of the things that people missed as children struck a chord with the author. She started liking so many responses that Twitter thought she was a bot.

"Twitter has concluded that I'm clicking the heart on your comments too quickly and that I must be a bot," she wrote. "If I don't [heart] your tweet, know that I see and feel you."

By putting down some of the things she never had at her house as a youngster, the author of this piece indicated that she had experienced childhood poverty herself: "Kleenex, bandages, ziplock bags, and paper towels are a few of mine." 

19. Heating system and air condition...

20. Milk

21. Backup pair of glasses

22. Paid bills

23. Fresh fruits

24. Taking care of pets

25. Indoor plumbing

26. So many things...

27. Regular dental appointments...

28. Eating as much as you want...

29. Buying whatever you want at the grocery store

30. Kleenex, soap, pillows...

For many, they may appear to be essential items that tens of thousands of people could not live without. That's why it's easy to overlook the fact that some of the things we take for granted or assume to be standard additions to our fundamental human requirements are things others living in poverty could regard as the most extravagant luxury imaginable.

This thread serves as a reminder to value what you have and remember that not everyone has easy access to it.

Damjan