After speaking with my teacher at West Salem High School, his opinion is the majority of students are predominately middle-upper middle class blue-collar families (Construction, farmers, mechanics owners). However, there are also roughly 25% of students are low-middle class (550 students get reduced or free lunches out of 1700). Therefore, I felt it was appropriate to look at the difference between the two dynamics of a low class family and a middle class family. The low class family is based on a single parent with one child and the middle class family is based on a married couple, dual incomes, with one child. However, throughout the rest of this blog, I will refer to these families as low-income and middle-income families.
Note, this budget does not include a lot of common bills such as: car loan, insurance (car or health), or gas.
The low-income family most likely could not be able to afford a house, so they would be forced to live in an apartment or share residence with family or friends. They possibly would be on Oregon Health Plan or food stamps. This income level would directly affect the lifestyle and upbringing to the student. They would not be able to have the same experiences as students who are privileged enough to come from families of more wealth. For example, chances are they would not be able to afford extracurricular activities after school; they may have to work to help support their families, or may have to take the city bus because they cannot afford to live in town. Living with a single income source can be hard and as a single parent it can affect their ability to raise their child and be difficult to make time to help with school homework. Studies have shown the students that struggle in school have a direct correlation to coming from a home that lacks support in regards to education. Thus, students from a low-income family are more susceptible to struggling in school.
In comparison to a middle-income family, typically both parents are working and one of the parents’ jobs provide benefits for their family, hence proving health insurance. On average, most middle-income families own a home, which provides a comfort zone for the child to feel safe and provides for a good environment to learn. Even though this student has both his/her parent’s working, the chance for one of them to be home and able to assist him/her in homework and provide encouragement is higher than a single parent. This family would be able to afford for their child to participate in extracurricular activities and other experiences with family and friends. Also, the stress level of the child over the financial situation of his/her family would most likely be low because they would not have to deal with the limitations poverty creates on a day-to-day basis.
Overall, I feel the stress level of being a teenager/student and the lifestyle led by a low-income student would be drastically harder than a middle-upper income student. As a future teach, it is my responsibility to figure out which students are in this category and make every accommodation available to them, for example, being sensitive to assigning assignments that are computer based, making sure they have the resources to complete projects, or not assigning work that requires them to stay after school. Also, not taking granted their experiences when making references towards examples in class. A way I could find out a students income level would be to get to know the student and ask probing questions, pay attention to if the students basic needs are being met, or check their individual file for clues. Although, I will not treat my students according to their poverty level, I will make an effort to be fair to their needs and try to accommodate them as much as possible.
