Teaching to the low Socioeconomic

           One of the questions the girls asked during their peer taught lesson was: What rules might a child be asked to follow at school that they are not asked to follow in a low Socioeconomic Status(SES) home?

From experience working with underprivileged children, I have learned first had that the expectations in a civilized community, such as a school, can be vastly different than those at home. In working with these children, the first thing I jumped out at me was simply their ability or desire to follow explicitly stated rules in regards to respecting others and property.  Also, when asked to do something by an authority figure which they don't find beneficial, children of low SES tend to avoid the task at all costs. They are masters of coming up with excuses as to why they are unable. Appropriate language is also an issue. Often times, it seems these children don’t even notice they are using language that is inappropriate.

            I presume these characteristics exist because there is less moral pressure from parents or guardians than children of for fortunate households at home, and the children get away with ‘walking over’  rules (if there are any at all). Though my observations are of low SES children, they are not exclusive to the underprivileged.  Nor are they universal for underprivileged children.

           A teacher can learn more about the upbringing of a child by administering a survey at the beginning of the year/semester. The quote, “Poverty does not mean ignorance”, was included in the peer taught lesson on the issue of students of low SES homes. Such a quote could help remind a teacher how to handle issues as they arise and prevent future issues with students underprivileged children with behavioral management issues.  Their actions may be subconscious, but that is not to say they can’t be corrected.