I have been reading Dr. Ruby K. Payne’s book called “A Framework for Understanding Poverty”.  Dr. Payne has studied poverty for a long time, and her book has been an eye-opener for me.  It has helped me to understand some human behavior I have observed, and which frustrated me,  but was never able to understand.  Perhaps if we better understand poverty, we will be in a better position to help our neighbors escape it. In her introduction she has “some key points to remember“:

1. Poverty is Relative. If everyone around you is in the same shape, then the notions of of poverty and wealth are vague. 

2. Poverty occurs in all races and in all countries.  The “middle class” as a major social institution is a relatively new concept, and the definition of poverty changes with the situation and those defining it.  Poverty is and has been the “normal” condition for most of the worlds population.

3. Economic class is a continuous line, not a clear cut distinction.  In 1994, in the US, a family of 4 with an income of less than $14,300 was in poverty.  At the same time 7% of the population made more than $100,000.  Folks are spread out all along this continuum and often move up and down the line.  Lack of money is not the only resource which condemns one to poverty

4. Generational and situational poverty are different.  Situational poverty is caused by circumstances and is likely to last a short period of time because the person “understands” the rules.  Generational poverty means living in poverty for 2 or more generations, leading to changes in perspective and outlook.  If a family in situational poverty doesn’t get out of poverty, they may “descend” into generational poverty as survival becomes the objective.

5. Our understanding is based on patterns and all patterns have exceptions.

6. An individual brings with him/her the hidden rules of the class in which he/she was raised.  This mean you and I.  It also means that even though a person’s income may change their patterns of thought and understanding of societal expectations, etc. may not.

7.  Schools and businesses operate from middle-class norms and use the hidden rules of the middle class.  The norms and hidden rules are not normal taught in schools or business, but are expected to be adhered to, even by those who may not know them.

8. For students to be successful, we must understand their hidden rules and teach them the rules that will help make them successful in school and work.  Without understanding our students’ or neighbors’ “hidden rules”, their actions and attitudes often seem incomprehesible, when we respond from the perspective of our “hidden rules”.

9. We can neither excuse a student nor scold them for not knowing the hidden rules.  We must teach the rules, provide support and expectations.  Without an understanding of the hidden rules of the middle class, children from poverty are “doomed” to continue to struggle in a “game” they and their parents may not understand.

10.  To move from poverty to middle class or middle class to wealth, and individual must give up relationships for achievement (at least for some period of time.)  Relationship are often built on our mutual understanding of the “rules”.  When a person learns the rules of another class, their companions and friends may not and may see the change as abandonment.  In poverty, relationships may be one’s only resource and source of security. Giving up some or all of those relationships will be a struggle.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 at 7:13 pm and is filed under 01. Poverty: Knowledge and Awareness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.