A Framework for Understanding Poverty [NOOK Book]

This Book Changed My Life! A Must Read!

This book is invaluable for anyone that works with people who live in a low-income community. It gives you an excellent framework to understand poverty. Dr. Payne explains that poverty is mostly about the lack of emotional resources than solely financial resources. To escape poverty, it is more than getting an education as there are middle class rules one must learn. Dr. Payne also makes a distinction between generational poverty vs. situational poverty. This book is relevant today considering our country’s financial crisis. As an educator that works in a community where poverty exists, I have made many judgments because of my lack of understanding of poverty. I could not understand why parents would not attend school events. This book helped me understand that it may be due to transportation, financial, job in jeopardy, embarrassment, or the neighborhood is not safe to be outdoors at night. The book is a must read for therapists, social workers, teachers, administrators, physicians, and anyone that works with a community that is in poverty. We better have an in depth thorough understanding of poverty as the US Census Bureau (2010) reports that poverty rates are increasing. However, my desire is more than just to merely understand poverty and its ramifications, but my goal is to continually devise plans to ensure this group’s success and affect social change. After reading, A Framework to Understanding Poverty I have a better understanding now. I also feel like I can do a better job with being a role model and not a judge. I thank God I was not born into poverty. I never realized how blessed I am. We are exposed to choices; however, for the 15.75 million children living in poverty in the US, they don’t know they have a choice. If you come from poverty you usually have a fatalistic view on life. So how do we expect people who believe that this is their lot in life to come out of poverty so easily? It is just not that easy, especially if you are from “generational poverty.” Thank You Jesus I am not from generational poverty!

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Highly recommend for anyone who works with children and diversity

This book has opened my eyes to new information regarding poverty and the different types not just financial and how it affects children. I work with children of elementary age and of all races and this book has truly answered a lot of questions that I had about how to work with kids of all levels.

A Must Read

This book helped change my perception of my students, their parents, members of my community, and even members of my own family. I have participated in three book studies of this book and have gained something new each time.

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