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A Framework For Understanding Poverty

Decent Essays

What is poverty? The official definition from Webster’s dictionary is “the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions.” Why are people poor? According to the Washington Post, answers will vary greatly. “Poor people are lazy. Poor people don’t care about education. They’re alcoholics and drug abusers. They don’t want to work because they’re addicted to the welfare system.” Ruby Payne, an American educator and author who is best known for her book A Framework for Understanding Poverty and her work on the culture of poverty has conducted many studies about poverty and its relation to education. “Not only is poverty going to affect your lifestyle, it can cause children to behave differently and to have a lower academic performance.” (Payne, ?????) What is middle class? According to Webster’s dictionary, middle class is “a social class that occupies a position between the upper class and the lower class (poverty) and is composed mainly of business and professional people, government officials, farmers, and skilled workers”. “ Schools often operate from middle class norms and values; therefore, middle class children are more successful in school” (Payne).

What are the different characteristics of a student living in poverty versus living in a middle class family? There are various lifestyle differences that can be recognized within a child between the two classes. When growing up in poverty, it is noticeable that the way a

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