The Puzzle of Poverty

By:Deborah CrawfordRhonda GillettRonda HamiltonKaren Watkins

What is it?Do you REALLY know?

http://www.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa/tour.htm

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Data Educational level of parents Residential stability Family structure Racial/ethnic group Mother’s age at birth of child Home ownership Correlation between poverty and human development

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The Faces of Poverty Other Names for Poverty

Working class poverty Temporary poverty Situational poverty Depression-era poverty Immigrant poverty

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Types of Poverty Short Term (situational)

Long Term (generational)

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Hidden Rules Among Classes Possessions

Poverty – People Middle class – Things Wealthy – One-of-a-kind objects, antiquities, rare objects, etc.

Money Poverty – To use or spend Middle Class – To manage Wealthy – To conserve or invest

Taken from Ruby Payne’s A Framework for Understanding Poverty.

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Hidden Rules Among Classes Social Emphasis

Poverty – Social inclusion of people they like Middle Class – Self governance and self-reliance

Wealthy – Social exclusion

Language Poverty – Casual Register. Language about survival

Middle Class – Formal Register – Language about negotiation.

Wealthy – Formal – Language about networking.Taken from Ruby Payne’s A Framework for Understanding Poverty

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Hidden Rules Among Classes Family Structure

Poverty – Matriarchal Middle Class – Patriarchal Wealthy – Depends on who has the money

World View Poverty – Local setting Middle Class – Nationalistic Wealthy – International

Taken from Ruby Payne’s A Framework for Understanding Poverty

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Hidden Rules Among Classes Personality

Poverty – Entertainment, Sense of Humor highly valued.

Middle Class – Acquisition/Stability, Achievement highly valued.

Wealthy – Social networking, financial, social, political connectedness

Food Poverty – Quantity Middle Class – Quality Wealthy – Presentation

Taken from Ruby Payne’s A Framework for Understanding Poverty

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Hidden Rules Among Classes Love and Acceptance

Poverty – Conditional – Depends on how well you are liked.

Middle Class – Conditional – Based on achievement. Wealthy – Conditional – Social standing and connectedness.

Driving Force Poverty – Survival, relationships, and entertainment.

Middle Class – Work and achievement. Wealthy – Financial, social, and political connections.

Taken from Ruby Payne’s A Framework for Understanding Poverty

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Hidden Rules Among Classes Time

Poverty – Present most important.

Middle Class – Future most important.

Wealthy – Decisions made based on tradition,

history, and decorum.Taken from Ruby Payne’s A Framework for Understanding Poverty

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Hidden Rules Among Classes Education

Poverty – Valued in the abstract but not a “reality.”

Middle Class – Means to an end – success, achievement, & money.

Wealthy – Necessary tool for maintaining status and social connections.

Destiny/Opportunity Poverty – Belief in fate. Cannot do much to mitigate chance.

Middle Class – Believes in choice. Can change due to good choices.

Wealthy – Noblesse obligeTaken from Ruby Payne’s A Framework for Understanding Poverty

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Impoverished Children’s Views Donna Beegle’s Study (2000)

Participants Teachers’ attitudes Potential disabilities ignored Lack of personal connection Teachers contributed to the problem

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Daily Barriers Value of education Self-esteem Fitting in Classroom environment School environment Lack of awareness Connecting with parents Language

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Early Disadvantages Limited medical care

Prenatal Childhood

Lack of stimulation In the home Lack of outside experiences

Childcare

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Breaking Through the Barriers Some important strategies

Expectations Differences in motivation Relationships Curriculum Mentors

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WHAT DO YOU THINK THE BOTTOM LINE IS FOR

EDUCATORS?

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The Bottom Line Educators need to care Make personal connections Be aware

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References Beegle, D. (2003, October/November). Overcoming the silence of generational poverty.

Talking Points, 15, 11-20. Crain, W. (2005). Theories of development: Concepts and applications (5th Ed). Upper

Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Harrington, Michael. The other America. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 1962. Leidenfrost, Nancy B. (1993). Poverty, an overview and background paper. Washington,

DC: Extension Service, USDA.

Mather, J. (Ed.). (2002, February). Children, poverty & schools. Classroom spice. Volume 4.

Issue 2. Chickasha, OK: USAO Multicultural Resource Center. O’Hare, William P. (1996). A new look at poverty in america. Population Bulletin, Vol.

51, No.2.

Payne, R. (2001). A framework for understanding poverty. Highlands, TX: RFT PublishingCompany.

Payne, R., Philip, De Vol, P., & Smith T. (2001). Bridges out of poverty: Strategies for

professionals and communities. Texas: Aha Process Inc. Pellino, K. (n.d.), The effects of poverty on teaching and learning. Retrieved June 9,

2006, fromhttp://www.teach-nology.com/tutorials/teaching/poverty/print.htm

Schwartz, T. (2005, Winter). The crossing. Portland Magazine, 31-35

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Not just

The End…

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…but a new

Beginning!