Sometimes a daily newspaper contains information pertinent to Human Growth and Development. In The State (June 12), there are a couple of articles of interest right on the front page, the first dealing with children and the second with retirees.

The article about children caught my interest because it brought up (in an indirect way) SES and all of its many ramifications. In class, we OFTEN discuss how money or the lack thereof affects one’s development all through life. From the schools we attend, the neighborhoods we live in, the food we eat, and the health care we have, SES affects us from the cradle to the grave. The article about children deals with the fact that “hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation” and goes on to explain that at least two SC school districts plan to serve children in summer feeding programs. This is great news! More than once, a student has shrugged off the problem of hungry children and malnutrition with comments such as, “They can get free or reduced lunches at school.” True, but don’t children get hungry in June, July, and early August as well?

The second article discussed that many baby boomers are putting off retirement for various reasons—primarily financial challenges, decreasing health benefits, and collapsing pension plans. As a boomer approaching retirement, I’m wondering if being “forced” to continue working might be a good thing. Involvement and a feeling of being needed and productive are good, right?