...there's so many crying, but so few that hear...

Poverty in the US and globally is a social problem that affects everyone on the planet and has devastating generational, social, health, and mortality rate impact. Since the wealth and resources drastically differ throughout the nations of the world there is no one right answer to reducing poverty. However, understanding the why and the how and accepting that poverty is a global issue is a starting point.

"It is very possible to reduce poverty if, and only if, a nation is willing to fund and implement appropriate programs and policies that address the causes of poverty and that help the poor deal with the immediate and ongoing difficulties they experience" (Social Problems, 2016, p. 89).

Reducing poverty begins with understanding and addressing the experiences and "structural basis for poverty" through the adoption and implementation of anti-poverty policies and programs such as increasing the minimum wage, providing child care and/or child care subsidies for working parents, and making housing affordable (Social Problems, 2016, pp. 91-92).

Addressing the issues and consequences of childhood poverty is a social problem that is directly related to the public school system. Children have foundational needs that must be met, including safety, nutrition, and security, and children who grow up in poverty are missing many of those needs.

The author notes throughout chapter eleven that a quality education directly impacts future opportunities and is related to success and income levels in the workforce. Conversely, successful educational attainment is determined by the family's social class and income level and the funding and resources available in the schools.

For my entire career in the public sector, I have taught in Title I schools where many children have unstable home lives and food insecurities. I have made it a priority to provide a safe learning environment in our classroom, which is important for all children, but even more important for children who don't experience a stable home life.

All public school districts in the state of California have offered free breakfasts and lunches for all children since March 2020. Prior to that, free or reduced lunch was determined by the family size and monthly income, but families only entered the application process to qualify if they disclosed their information on the paper application within the timeframe determined by the district. In our public Montessori classroom, we also offer daily community snacks provided by families who are in a position to donate or by me because if the children's tummies are happy, they will be able to focus on learning and not on their hunger pains.

Our district, in concert with the state, also offers many other resources for families to help them not only navigate the educational system but also to live a safe and secure life.

I chose these two topics because, for the majority of my career, I have worked in the public sector at Title 1 schools. Many of the students and families I work with have experienced poverty and other social issues brought up by the author. As a practitioner servicing families and children from all different backgrounds, it is important that I learn what I can in order to best meet their needs and provide a learning environment that is supportive. While I can relate to many of the issues brought up by the author, others I cannot. I really want to learn more and understand what the families I work with are experiencing.

I am listening.

Mother Teresa said...

And Elton John sings about poverty and families...

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Everything Elton. (2017, November 27). Elton John - If there is a God in heaven (What's he waiting for). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7kAxwLa2to

Social Problems: Continuity and Change. (2016). University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing. https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/141