WASHINGTON, July 2 (UPI) -- Despite often negative headlines about America's children, they are doing better than most adults think.
A survey by the family advocacy organization, Child Trends, indicates the public is unaware of progress made by parents, communities and government.
The report, "How kids are doing: The mismatch between public perception and statistical reality," found the number of children on welfare went from 8.7 million in 1996 to 4.4 million in 2000. But 40 percent of adults believe the number of children on public assistance increased.
About 16 percent of American children live in poverty but 49 percent of adults believe about 30 percent do.
"The fact that so much of the public overestimates problems among children does not mean that serious problems don't exist, but that adults are unaware of progress made," Child Trends President Kristin Moore told USA Today.
The survey of 1,000 adults had an error rate of 3 points.
