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 Poverty Generational 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 Attitude Key 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 Studies Walter (Caucasian male) Humor involved in story Way to mask the deep pain and disgust for what happened Sandy Smith Following the path of others Turned 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 bouncing Not 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 function Ex: bedroom people sleep Organization function Ex: drawer will have the silverware, drawer for plates Moving= less space and no time Homework, organization

Characteristics may surface with adults and students from poverty They… 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 hard Be a physical fighter To be a lover Of the three responses to life- to flee, flow, or fight He can only fight or flee Stress 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 Dysfunctionality Dysfunctionality 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 better A goal or vision of something they want to be or have A specific talent or ability that provides an opportunity for them Someone 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 students Keep 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

Resources A Framework for Understanding Poverty By Ruby Payne