Poverty .vs.
Privilege Reflection
Children of Poverty
1) What is ‘poverty’? Generational vs. Situational?
Poverty is the extent to which an individual is without resources to fulfill either
their financial, emotional, mental, physical, spiritual, or supportive needs.
Generational poverty is when someone is in a state of poverty for longer than two
generations. Situational poverty is when poverty exists due to a shorter lived
circumstance, such as, loss of a job, death, or divorse.
2) Explain why children of poverty struggle in a ‘normal’ classroom
setting.
They may not feel comfortable or accepted if they are in a classroom, with students
of different economic status
3) Discuss ‘hidden rules’. How do they vary from economic level to
economic level?
Different levels of the socio-economic ladder have different views and opinions of
what is considered ‘normal’. However, these views and norms are never discussed
or talked about in school, or in the professional world. As educators, it is our job to
inform students of these ‘hidden rules’, regardless of which level you fall under, so
they can work on improving themselves. One example of how these rules differ is
in the driving forces. In poverty, the diving force is survival, relationships, and
entertainment. The middle class is work and achievement. Lastly the wealthy class,
looks at status, and possibly political connections.
4) How does language affect learning for children of poverty?
Language has an effect on learning because children of poverty are only used to a
certain style of language. Most students of poverty are usually exposed to a
specific ‘register; of language which is casual register. “Casual registered is
characterized by a 400- to 500-word vocabulary, broken sentences, and many non-
verbal assists”. This can prohibit a student's achievement, for instance if they must
analyze a novel or story written in formal register, it may be more difficult.
5) What do students of poverty need to learn in order to learn?
In order to learn best, students of poverty need the eight resources previously
mentioned before. This includes, the physical resources that other students receive
in the middle class and wealthy communities such as, technology or textbooks.
They also need a positive relationship with their teacher, or someone who they can
trust to improve their learning environment.
6) What skills/abilities do you need to teach a child of poverty?
As a teacher working with children of poverty, it is important to teach students the
importance of meditation. By meditation I mean finding cognitive strategies or
solutions in difficult situations. Most students do not receive this instruction at
home. They also must be aware of the ‘hidden rules’ that contribute to success.
Rich Kids
1) Do ‘rich kids’ have a realistic view of standards of living?
No. Some, not all rich kids are used to having everything handed to them and not
having to work for what they want.
2) Are you a ‘rich kid’?
I am very thankful for the opportunities and life my parents have given me. My
family makes a good income, we live in a nice house, in an amazing school
district, and I get to play travel volleyball. However, I do not consider myself a
‘rich kid’. I push myself within my education, but also know that it is healthy to
make mistakes. I also have had to work different jobs to pay for my own
necessities, such as gas or getting food with friends. I am thankful for my parents
teaching me the importance of budgeting your money.
3) Why are drugs such a big issue with affluent kids?
More privileged kids have a higher tendency to alcohol and drug use because they
have more money, more resources and opportunities, and more of a sense of
rebellion (from their strict parents).
4) Why aren’t money and education enough to keep affluent
kids from feeling distress?
Parents are putting too much pressure on their children to succeed to the point
where it is too overwhelming for the child. This causes them to misbehave. There
is also evidence that shows children are much more vulnerable today than they
were in the past.
5) Why is ‘high pressure’ the number one cause of distress?
Students can feel like since they have the ability to achieve X, they must do so.
They must live up to any societal or parental expectations that have been placed on
them.
6) What does the ‘cultural context of affluence’ mean?
Parents and the affluent culture are at fault for placing these high expectations.
7) Why are today’s ‘rich kids’ more at risk than previous
Generations?
They aren’t learning from their mistakes and it is becoming the social norms to fall
into these patterns of misbehavior, because they are only surrounded by people
who are financially similar to them,
Compare / contrast children of poverty and the rich kids view of their future
Both groups I think recognize that they have the ability to determine their own
future. It is essentially up to you how hard you want to work. It is much easier for
rich kids to get there faster due to the increased number of resources they have.
However, both groups can either make or break their future based upon the
decisions they make as adolescents.
