The government issued a shutdown at midnight on December 22, 2018 and impacted everybody nationally. Lawmakers allowed funding for several appropriation bills to fall through, making the federal government partially shutdown. During a shutdown, federal agencies halt the use of non-essential functions until funding goes through and is passed as a law.

A popular demand where Democrats and Republicans don’t meet is the funding for a the border wall between the United States and Mexico with Democrats refusing to help fund the border. Due to this, federal workers are not being paid, leading to unfinished tasks in the government.

So, you’re probably wondering, “What does this have to do with me? Why should it even matter?” The shutdown might not affect you directly but it’s important to remember that you are not the only high school student in the United States.

Government shutdowns are harmful to teens in families that aren’t financially stable. Now, I’m sure those coming from low-income families don’t flaunt it around and tell everyone in school. Truth be told, some hide it so well that it can be your own friend and you wouldn’t even know. That’s why it should matter. There are people our age and their families that are hurt from government shutdowns.

During the shutdown, the Department of Agriculture announced that funding for food stamps and school lunches for poor children and their families would be gone within a month or so. Families that rely on these programs are still able to buy food and lunch; however, no one is sure when these programs will stop and fall through. If anything happens, students from low-income families will be affected and struggle to find a way around this issue when these programs help bring food onto their table.

The government shutdown might not affect you personally but it may to others and it most definitely matters. We should care because it’s happening to our age group, not just the adults. We should know and educate ourselves on something like this instead of remaining ignorant. As of now, we can only hope funding remains available for these programs in the following months.