Ruby Payne offers insight into understanding and working with people in poverty. Poverty is universal and relative, but situational and generational poverty are different. There are hidden rules in all classes, and to move between the classes requires giving up relationships for achievement. Dr. Payne defines poverty as "the extent to which an individual does without resources. "(15) Resources include financial, emotional, mental, spiritual, physical support systems, role models and knowledge of hidden rules. The three socioeconomic classes have different views on life ranging from possessions to world-views. For example, the driving forces in poverty are relationships and entertainment whereas the middle class is driven by work and achievement. The wealthy chase financial, political and social connections (92). School and education is based on middle class standards. Dr. Payne offers ways to apply this knowledge in the classroom and workplace. .
Dr. Payne's book also includes a discussion of language. Language plays an important role in the distinctions of the three classes. There are five levels of language registers: frozen, formal, consultative, casual, and intimate. Middle class operates on a formal register which people in generational poverty are not often exposed. Discourse and story telling are two important elements in language. Middle class discourse gets straight to the point whereas poverty's circles around a subject. Middle class story organization is linear; poverty story organization starts at the end and tells the story by emotional intensity. All middle class values and language need to be deliberately taught to children in poverty, but will not be successful if the child does not have an emotional relationship with the person.
Dr. Payne presents the information in a variety of ways and offers learning opportunities and real-life examples. I enjoyed the scenarios.
