Reply #106: There are many, many studies demonstrating how the culture of poverty affects learning outcomes

[Nevernose]

First, let me say that I'm not stereotyping ALL poor people (there are billionaires who act like the Beverly Hillbillies, except probably not so loveable, and the totally destitute who seem like Grace Kelly). I've been homeless-poor and food stamp-poor, and I've done a lot of academic research on the issue, so I think I'm capable of discussing this issue knowledgeably and objectively. I still work with the poor on a daily basis (I'm an inner city high school teacher).

There are many, many studies demonstrating how the culture of poverty affects learning outcomes. There are a host of issues within the poor community that affect education. Food issues were mentioned above. Going to school hungry is not conducive to learning. Then there are clothing issues, transportation issues, health issues, teen pregnancy issues, crime issues...

There are also cultural issues. Many poor parents had bad experiences in school themselves, and therefore don't expect much from their children's schools and don't particularly value education. And, not having much experience themselves, have no idea what's necessary for a child to succeed and have little idea how to go about getting it anyway. Anthropologists have spent a lot of time studying the behavioral differences between social classes. Upper and middle income Americans typically negotiate with their children to some extent. Lower income Americans more often resort to violence; punishment is also not an ongoing process, it is something that happens quickly, it's over, and everybody moves on.

Most intriguing to me is the language difference. Middle-income children typically hear at home around 2,000 words, many of them uncommon. Lower-income Americans typically hear between five and seven hundred, many of them cuss words, insults, or some form of hostility.

Consider that and then consider this: what do we teach in schools? Essentially, we teach two things, once you strip away all the outer layers. We teach how to behave in various settings and we teach language skills (even math is just a highly precise, technical use of language skills). And where do the biggest differences between the bottom income people and the higher income people? In behavior and language.

American kids are #1 in Math, Science, and Reading for the top 20% of SES. Our math drops to #3 when you stretch the parameters to include the top 40%. As a group, it's the children of poverty who are failing most severely, and that will only continue the cycle of poverty.

I propose that we bump up the levels of sex ed and sexual health services for that demographic to begin with, and then begin with parenting classes (long term, effective, and meaningful). After that, we have to focus on the mothers. Long before Three Cups of Tea came out, we knew that raising mothers' educational levels was the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.