A Framework for Understanding Poverty

Chapter Four:

The ‘Situated Learning’ Reality of Generational Poverty: How it impacts

Navigation of One’s Life

By: Daniela Denis

2 Types of PovertyGenerational Poverty: having been in poverty for

at least two generations

Situational poverty: lack of resources due to a particular event Death, chronic illness, divorce, etc.

Prevailing AttitudeKey indicator of whether its generational or

situational

Generational: society “owes me a living”

Situational: one of pride and great reluctance to accept charity.

Reality of Generational Poverty

Instability of housing

Violence

Food insecurity

Unemployment/ underemployment

Unaddressed health issues

Frequent exposure to addiction

Predators (both inside and outside the group)

Periodic homelessness

Crowded housing/lack of personal space

Lots of time at agencies getting assistance

Uneducated/ undereducated adults

Limited knowledge bases

Death

Incarceration

Case StudiesWalter (Caucasian male)

Humor involved in storyWay to mask the deep pain and disgust for what

happened

Sandy SmithFollowing the path of othersTurned life around after being held gunpoint (6

months pregnant)Believes her way out of poverty is to complete

education

Lack of Understanding of Money in G.P.

Difficulties in learning how to handle money

How to manage what you never had

Ex: Checking account, checks bouncingNot knowing checks represent money but arent

cash

Organization of Space and Paper in G.P

Space is where your body goes and how often you keep track of things.

Skills may have not been learned

Middle class homes= space assigned a functionEx: bedroom people sleep

Organization functionEx: drawer will have the silverware, drawer for

plates

Moving= less space and no timeHomework, organization

Characteristics may surface with adults and students from povertyThey…

Get mad and quit their job/work. If they don’t like the boss/teacher, they will quit. The emphasis is on the current feeling, not the long-term ramifications

Will work hard if they like you Either use humor as a conflict-resolution tool or physical

assault Use survival language, tending to operate out of casual

register More opening display feelings and emotion. They don’t

have the reserve of wealth or the caution of middle class. Have an extreme freedom of speech, enjoy a sense of

humor, use the personality to entertain, have a love of stories about people.

Role of Gender Identity/Rite of Passage

Primary role of real man: Physically work hardBe a physical fighterTo be a lover

Of the three responses to life- to flee, flow, or fightHe can only fight or fleeStress gets high he fights flees from the law

and people closet to him leaves his home heat dies down returns home cycle continues.

Generational Poverty’s Family Structure Synonymous with

DysfunctionalityDysfunctionality is to which an individual cannot

get his/her needs met.

Fewer the resources= greater change of dysfunctionality because of the scarcity of resources

Many financial resources but have dysfunctional household.Resources not available

Emotional resources Relationships or role models

What does it all mean?Education is the key to getting out of and staying

out of, generational poverty.

Individuals leave poverty for one of the four reasons:A situation that is so painful that just about anything

would be betterA goal or vision of something they want to be or haveA specific talent or ability that provides an

opportunity for themSomeone who “sponsors” them

An educator or spouse or mentor or role model who shows them a different way or convinces them that they could live differently

How to help your studentsKeep your expectations for poor students high.

Poverty does not mean ignorance

Your rules may be different than the rules they have at home“At school we …”

Listen to them and help when you can/they allow

You value your students character and not possessions

ResourcesA Framework for Understanding Poverty By Ruby

Payne