The discussion on poverty and privilege was interesting and how they play apart in schooling. Payne’s article illustrates a good definition of poverty and different types of examples of poverty for me. It clearly defines the two types of poverty, which gave me the understanding of the type of poverty that I am currently facing to generational poverty that many families experience. But many of her scenarios stereotype the experiences that of other ethnicities may experience. Later in life I realized that I grew up with as a part of middle class, but her article made me clearly realize how much more privilege I was than the scenarios that were presented. The poverty that I am experience now is taking an emotional and financial toll on me, but I know in the future that I will out of that situation because of the skills that I have and educational background that I have gained. The affects/realization of poverty on school children had not crossed my mind until I started this class. But poverty has a harsh effect on children from poor diets to living conditions to learning and more. Adolescence is time great change for children and we as teachers a have to be observant of the changes they are going through and be aware of what it means for families. How as teachers do we be helpful and be supportive of those children in the class, but also not push them away?
So I guess the question I ask myself, How do I understand or demonstrate to my students that I understand them when I grew up with a middle class background? How do I respect their values and teach them what Payne call hidden attributes of class? I think knowing the hidden attributes of the middle class is important because it is being aware of some of thing that affect your way of thinking.
Payne’s article made for some interesting class discussions. While there were generalizations, it seemed to shed some light on behavioral differences between different classes of wealth. Wealth obviously, is made up of so much more than simply financial wealth; ie, emotional, physical, etc. Recognizing that you can get out of situational poverty because you’re educated and have a sought after skill set is encouraging and just haven been in this situation will allow you to connect to kids through your own experiences.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a good read as well. I think Frank's suggestion about being able to connect to the kids because of your own experience is right on. Our own experience I think help us better understand others and help us as teachers make that connection. I also think that knowing and learning about different situations help us with our students as well. On a personal note Hang in ther...it will get better!
ReplyDeleteI think that realizing that different segments of the poplulation have different values and goals is an important step in being able to relate to the students in the classroom. That, for me, was the most important lesson gleaned from the Payne reading. Like you, I grew up middle class, and I guess before reading that chapter I hardly ever considered that other people might seriously not want the same things out of life that I do. The reading, despite its stereotypes, was an eye-opener.
ReplyDeleteMariko, I too struggle with how to relate to the family that can't provide clothes for their child, or sends them to school dirty or hungy. It is easy to be comtemptuous of such people, but I have to remind myself that for some parents, putting one foot in front of the other is a struggle. Paying their rent is a struggle, and so is keeping a job. It is so hard to see the children suffer though. Today I saw a parent bring a child to school at an elementary I was subbing at. The little girl crawled out of the front seat of the car (where she should not be sitting) wearing flip flops and no coat. I was infuriated. I took that opportunity to provide her with a coat and socks from the clothing bank, stuck a note in her back pack about the APS clothing bank, and gave her a big hug. Poor little thing...I wonder what kind of chance she has at doing well in school, or life?
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