RE: ‘Child poverty actually abuse' (The Weekend Sun, November 14). In response to K Molley's letter, I agree with their comment there is no such thing as child poverty, it is child abuse. We are blessed to live in this country where there is social system that ensures families in NZ have a minimum income that provides enough money for all the basic needs of looking after a family.

Every day as a financial coach I'm helping families from all walks of life that are struggling to keep up with everything, and only spending meagre amounts of food. Once we take out debt payments but maintain the normal costs of raising children, the budget always balances.

The reason they struggle is because in calculating the basic requirements, the social system doesn't allow for families to have debt.

Debt is the main reason we have child poverty, and by parents paying for their debt instead of feeding their children, it is child abuse!

We have hard-hitting TV adverts for other social issues – why don't we have adverts showing the reality of getting debt when you can't afford it and then can't provide for your children.

S Newland, Mount Maunganui.