Framework for Understanding Poverty

Rating:
Summary: revolting piece of propaganda
Review: This is one of the most revolting pieces of propaganda against working people I have seen in a long time. Contains such gems of wisdom as, "Many individuals stay in poverty because they don't know there is a choice (p79)." Payne contends that the poor "do without" when it comes to "believing in divine purpose and guidance (p 16)," as this is one of the defining characteristics of poverty. Poor people don't believe in God? And that's why they're poor? How very Protestant of you. It shocks me that these kind of "cultural" explanations for poverty, essentially blaming the victims, persist in the professional education literature years after they have ceased to be seriously considered within the social sciences. I mean, come on!

It comes as no surprise to me that Payne's professional experience and case studies are in the context of the Houston Public Schools, from whence sprang Rod Paige, the Secretary of Education who told us that the Nea is a "terrorist organization." Payne describes the spurious distinction between "situational" poverty and the so-called "generationally" poor, for whom poverty is just another depraved life "choice," like living in "common law" relationships or going to jail, which we learn is "simply...a part of life" and "not necessarily always bad" for the poor (p36).

Ready to throw up yet? But wait! I haven't even gotten to the parts about how to apply this philosophy to managing your elementary school classroom yet! Without this book, you might find it hard to believe that children living in poverty "talk back" and "dislike authority (p 78)." Hmmm... so there it is, the real problem. These poor children just can't seem to understand that they are supposed to DO WHAT THEY ARE TOLD!!! CAN YOU IMAGINE!!!!

One final note: The back cover tells us that Dr. Payne is founder and president of aha! Process, Inc., the book's publisher.

Rating:
Summary: Sad attempt
Review: This, hands down, has to be the worst example of bias I've had the misfortune to read. The author's use of stereotyping is apalling. How does one reach disadvantaged children? perhaps by listening and attempting to really learn about the childs community not relying on someones backwards, outdated views as a starting point. Her Cinderella story as told in the vernacular lacked authenticity and Opie and her mother Oprah as well as Vangie (her black subjects) would be well suited as characters in any number of racist tracts. How sad that someone who perhaps is well intentioned could have gotten things so very wrong. I suppose her work is geared towards those Whites who continue to accept Patriarchy and the status-quo as the only way...but perhaps by understanding their students as humans much the same as themselves they can really understand them.