Poverty Perceptions
Objectives
Objectives
- Identify personal perceptions related to families in poverty
- Understand how perceptions influence behavior
- Recognize the differences between deficit and asset mindsets regarding poverty
Stop, Think, and Journal
Stop, Think, and Journal
If you were having a conversation with another colleague, how would you define poverty?
If you were having a conversation with another colleague, how would you define poverty?
What word choices would you use?
What word choices would you use?
Look at the pictures below. Click the button below the picture that reflects students living in poverty.
Look at the pictures below. Click the button below the picture that reflects students living in poverty.
Does Our View of Poverty Affect How We See Children and Their Families?
Does Our View of Poverty Affect How We See Children and Their Families?
"If an individual student has trouble learning to read, behaving appropriately in class, or meeting other expectations, it is for complex reasons having to do with that individual and the specific people and institutions in their lives. It is not simply because they are poor" (Fergus, 2017).
"If an individual student has trouble learning to read, behaving appropriately in class, or meeting other expectations, it is for complex reasons having to do with that individual and the specific people and institutions in their lives. It is not simply because they are poor" (Fergus, 2017).
Stop, Think, and Journal
Stop, Think, and Journal
Think about Malik from the earlier challenge. What other factors could be contributing to the observed behaviors?
Think about Malik from the earlier challenge. What other factors could be contributing to the observed behaviors?
Miller et al. (2013) found “when a greater proportion of students are eligible for free or reduced-cost lunches, teachers have significantly lower perceptions of the character and academic development of students, communications and associations with parents, and the overall school climate” (p. 155). Furthermore, teachers often believe students and parents are disinterested or uninvolved in schooling and evaluate families of lower SES more negatively than higher-income families (Epstein & Dauber, 1991).
Miller et al. (2013) found “when a greater proportion of students are eligible for free or reduced-cost lunches, teachers have significantly lower perceptions of the character and academic development of students, communications and associations with parents, and the overall school climate” (p. 155). Furthermore, teachers often believe students and parents are disinterested or uninvolved in schooling and evaluate families of lower SES more negatively than higher-income families (Epstein & Dauber, 1991).
Activity
Activity
After viewing the Poverty video below, separate the facts from your feelings using the Spotlight on Strategies graphic organizer, Reporter's Notebook. You can recreate the organizer or use the sample in your reflective journal.
After viewing the Poverty video below, separate the facts from your feelings using the Spotlight on Strategies graphic organizer, Reporter's Notebook. You can recreate the organizer or use the sample in your reflective journal.
To view complete YouTube video uploaded by Tearfund, you can click continue, otherwise the video is set to stop at counter 2:11.
Reporter's Notebook Directions and Graphic Organizer
Reporter's Notebook Directions and Graphic Organizer
SOS 102 Reporters Notebook.pdf"The subjective or human causes of poverty lie in human beings themselves; some of the most important of these causes are mental disorder, physical disability, age, work-shyness, substance abuse and people with low or limited levels of education and training" (Green, 2014, p.9). We have to be aware that people in poverty cannot be placed in one bubble. Many attributes can contribute to poverty and our perceptions must be challenged so that they are accurate and promote change and collaboration.
"The subjective or human causes of poverty lie in human beings themselves; some of the most important of these causes are mental disorder, physical disability, age, work-shyness, substance abuse and people with low or limited levels of education and training" (Green, 2014, p.9). We have to be aware that people in poverty cannot be placed in one bubble. Many attributes can contribute to poverty and our perceptions must be challenged so that they are accurate and promote change and collaboration.
People who are poor have assets, gifts and strengths that far outweigh the stereotypical negative traits ascribed to them (Gorski, 2008). In "The Myth of the Culture of Poverty", Gorski identifies and rebuts some misconceptions of poor people. Building on this work, Montemayor contrasts each myth with an asset based truth.
People who are poor have assets, gifts and strengths that far outweigh the stereotypical negative traits ascribed to them (Gorski, 2008). In "The Myth of the Culture of Poverty", Gorski identifies and rebuts some misconceptions of poor people. Building on this work, Montemayor contrasts each myth with an asset based truth.
Myth-Deficit Mindset
Myth-Deficit Mindset
-Poor people are unmotivated and have weak work ethics
-Poor people are unmotivated and have weak work ethics
-Poor people are uninvolved in their children’s learning, largely because they do not value education
-Poor people are uninvolved in their children’s learning, largely because they do not value education
-Poor people are linguistically deficient
-Poor people are linguistically deficient
Asset Based Truth-Asset Mindset
Asset Based Truth-Asset Mindset
-Poor people survive and subsist under trying circumstances, often taking difficult and underpaying jobs
-Poor people survive and subsist under trying circumstances, often taking difficult and underpaying jobs
-Families see education critical to success to life and counsel their children to get educated so they don’t suffer the same poverty as their parents.
-Families see education critical to success to life and counsel their children to get educated so they don’t suffer the same poverty as their parents.
-Families talk in various registers with their own unique vocabularies
-Families talk in various registers with their own unique vocabularies
(Montemayor, 2019, p. 7)
(Montemayor, 2019, p. 7)
There are many reasons contributing to poverty. Educators must be willing to examine their own perceptions as well as consider the perceptions of others. Below is a website highlighting perceptions of poverty and homelessness.
There are many reasons contributing to poverty. Educators must be willing to examine their own perceptions as well as consider the perceptions of others. Below is a website highlighting perceptions of poverty and homelessness.
Stop, Think, and Journal
Stop, Think, and Journal
Now apply what you know about poverty and perceptions. What will you now say to a colleague who chose either picture as a condition where poverty exists?
Now apply what you know about poverty and perceptions. What will you now say to a colleague who chose either picture as a condition where poverty exists?
Activity
Activity
What are your perceptions and biases? Complete the Perceptions and Biases Google Form below to identify your own personal biases and perceptions. After completing the Google Form, look closely at the feedback to determine areas of growth and areas of strength. NOTE: to see the research based feedback, after submitting, click "View Accuracy"
What are your perceptions and biases? Complete the Perceptions and Biases Google Form below to identify your own personal biases and perceptions. After completing the Google Form, look closely at the feedback to determine areas of growth and areas of strength. NOTE: to see the research based feedback, after submitting, click "View Accuracy"