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.
For a lot of people, childhood poverty only becomes obvious later, when everyday basics start looking like luxuries. That is exactly what happened in this viral thread, where adults who grew up without much money shared the things they never had as kids. What seems ordinary to one person can feel out of reach to another, especially in childhood.
From food and clothing to plumbing and peace, the list says a lot. Read on.
@victoriabwrites1. Takeaway
Lilysea2. Dad, shoes, a house...
balibones
3. New zip-lock bags
therosebride
4. Snacks, healthy food, eating out...
sailorfemme
5. Money in one home, love in another...
brandyssea
6. Oliver Twist story...
AskingAmy
7. More socks...
CindyERodriguez
8. When both parents grew up poor...
KevinJosephCMX
9. A diaper is ready to be changed when it starts leaking...
nomorekidsincag
10. Not enough toilet paper
FeralTwin
11. Bulk items...
linluv5
12. Running water
volanti
13. Just being able to buy what you need when you need it...
sebejer
14. A toilet...
missveryvery
15. A bedroom and a car that works...
victoriabwrites
16. Silence, peace, and safety
ELWaters
17. Such a long list...
bazaaroftales
18. AC, dishwasher...
hacks4pancakes
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 listing some of the things she never had in her house as a child, 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."
Also, this echoes the AITA where a sister won’t repay a loan for baby expenses, but buys luxuries instead.
That tweet opened the floodgates.
19. Heating system and air conditioning...
NateBrownBrown
20. Milk
Too_Big_To_Fail
21. Backup pair of glasses
tyler_flach
22. Paid bills
kmcguirk76
23. Fresh fruits
caela_rue
24. Taking care of pets
marthakimes
25. Indoor plumbing
CherylStrayed
26. So many things...
tony_bridges_el
27. Regular dental appointments...
dadamstowel
28. Eating as much as you want...
Lilysea
29. Buying whatever you want at the grocery store
Fontsensitive
30. Kleenex, soap, pillows...
laurenthehough
For many, these 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 regarded by others living in poverty as the most extravagant luxuries imaginable.
This thread serves as a reminder to value what you have and to remember that not everyone has easy access to it.
It is a hard list to forget.
For more sibling money drama, read about the AITA where one sibling shoulders more expenses and the others call it unfair.
