a framework for understanding poverty sheally engebretson dr. kwame bruce based on book by ruby k....
TRANSCRIPT
A framework for Understanding Poverty
Sheally EngebretsonDr. Kwame BruceBased on book by Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D.
Key Points to Remember
Poverty is relativePoverty occurs in all races and in all
countriesEconomic class is a continuous line, not
a clear-cut distinctionGenerational poverty and situational
poverty are different
(Questionnaire)
An individual brings with him/her the hidden rules of the class in which he/she was raised
To move from poverty to middle class or middle class to wealth, an individual must give up relationships for achievement (at least for some period of time).
Two things that help one move out of poverty are education and relationships
Four reasons one leaves poverty are: It’s too painful to stay, a vision or goal, a key relationship, or a special talent or skill.
Statistics About Poverty
7.6 million poor families in 2003Foreign-born population in U.S. has
increasedPoverty is caused by interrelated factors:
parental employment status and earning, family structure, and parental education (Five Million Children, 1992)
Definition of Poverty
The extent to which an individual does without resources
“Scenarios”
Resources
FinancialEmotionalMentalSpiritualPhysicalSupport SystemsRelationship/Role ModelsKnowledge of Hidden Rules
Quote
“No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship.”
Dr. James Comer
Role of Language and Story
Register of Language: every language in the world has five registers.
FrozenFormalConsultativeCasualIntimate
Hidden Rules Among Classes
Generally, in America, the notion is recognized for racial and ethnic groups, but not particularly for economic groups.
Characteristics of Generation Poverty
Poverty for at least two generationsHas its own culture, hidden rules & belief
systemsPrevailing attitude is that society owes
one a living.
Family Patterns in Generational Poverty
Family patterns
Key roles: fighter/lover, caretaker/rescuer, worker, storyteller, and “keeper of the soul” (i.e., dispenser of penance and forgiveness)
“Scenarios”
Quote
“The culture of poverty has some universal characteristics which transcend regional, rural-urban, and even national differences…There are remarkable similarities in family structure, interpersonal relations, time orientations, value systems, spending patterns, and the sense of community in lower-class settlements in London, Glasgow, Paris, Harlem, and Mexico City.”
Oscar Lewis, Four Horsemen
Characteristics
Get mad & quite their job/workWill work hard if they like youDo not use conflict-resolution skillsUse survival languageNot emotionally reserved when angry
Characteristics cont.
Extreme freedom of speechVery independentTimeNeed emotional warmthLevel of integrity
Characteristics cont.
Possessiveness“Space”Favoritism
Characteristics: Real Men, Real Women
Men socialize with men and women with women
A real man is ruggedly good-lookingA real woman takes care of her man
Role Models Emotional Resources
Dependence
Independence
Interdependence
Functional and Dysfunctional Systems
Support Systems
Coping StrategiesOptions During Problem-SolvingInformation and Know-HowTemporary Relief from Emotional,
Financial, and/or Time Constraints
Support System cont.
Connections to Other People and Resources
Positive Self-TalkProcedural Self-Talk
Hidden Rules Among Classes handout
Creating Relationships
Students in povertyEmotional Bank (Covey-1889)
Relationship Deposits & Withdrawals
Deposits Withdrawals
Seek first to understand Seek first to be understood
Keeping promises Breaking promises
Kindnesses, courtesies Unkindnesses, discourtesies
Clarifying expectationsViolating expectations
Loyalty to the absent Disloyalty, duplicity
Apologies Pride, conceit, arrogance
Open to feedback Rejecting feedback
Deposits made to individual in poverty
Appreciation for humor and entertainment provided by the individual
Acceptance of what the individual cannot say about a person or situation
Respect for the demands and priorities of relationships
Using the adult voice
Deposits cont.
Assisting with goal-settingIdentifying options related to available
resourcesUnderstanding the importance of
personal freedom, speech, and individual personality
Conclusion
It is our responsibility who work with the poor to teach the differences and skills/rules that will allow the individual to make the choice. As it now stands for many of the poor, the choice never exists.