Culture of Poverty

Yesterday I attended Working Within the Culture of Poverty training facilitated by Micheline Brault at the Larimer DHS. There were about 30 professionals in attendence to learn more about the culture of poverty and how to use that as a lens to work most effectively and empathetically with this population.

We went over some very interesting information about the differences between those in poverty, those in the middle class, and those in wealth. Especially what their driving forces are and how they are all uniquely skilled to live in the economic status they are currently in. Driving forces (survival, work, financial), differences in food (quantity, quality vs. presentation), money (to be used, managed, invested) were some of the big things we hit upon as the "hidden rules of economic class".

Something I found very interesting when we were speaking of the skill levels in each class was a checklist we were asked to fill out "Could you survive in poverty/middle class/wealth?" Questions included:

I know how to live without electricity and a phone
I know how to move in half a day
I know how to get someone out of jail
I can entertain a group of friends with my personality and my stories

I know how to set a table properly
I talk to my children about going to college
I know how to use most of the tools in the garage
I know how to help my children with their homework and do not hesitate to call the school if I need additional info.

I can read a menu in French, English and another language
I support or buy the work of a particular artist
I know who my preferred financial adviser, legal service, designer, domestic employment service and hairdresser are
I am on the boards of at least two charities

While I did know how to "survive" more so in the middle class, I knew a lot about how to survive in poverty as well.. according to these checklist questions. While it did seem as if there was a bias towards wealth, I understood the point of having different lifestyles and how it can affect every part of your life, daily routines and perspective.

This training taught me a lot about the youth I am working with, being more tolerant to how these kids live in the present because their minds tell them it's all they have and realizing that every day is a struggle. It also taught me about some of the people I have had in my life and helped understand some of their mannerisms that I was confused on or didn't quite understand why they couldn't explain why the TV always had to be on. (Apparently because poverty is loud, TV masks it. Also, TV may be the only source of entertainment around with lack of money and resources so it can be a gathering for family, or time)

Nickel and Dimed is a really good book about living on minimum wage that I recommend.