Social Conditions in Brazil and Freire's Theory of Education

Social Conditions of Brazil

The social conditions of Brazil are rooted in the two separate categories of its citizens, the "haves" and the "have-nots." High unequal income distribution is the leading problem in Brazil. The government is run by and favors the "haves" in its policies. Education is a major influence in the advancement of the "haves" in Brazilian society. The "have-nots" are not given a chance to succeed and are taught simple ideas through the banking method. This method does not allow for the questioning of the government's policies and so the have-nots are situated in a cycle of poverty and ignorance. Paulo Freire saw the problems of education and sought to change the education methods by promoting his problem-posing education.

The country of Brazil is comprised of 159 million people (1997). There are estimated to be around 150,000 indigenous people that live in the Amazon jungle. One third of the population works in agriculture and tends to have lower incomes and worse living conditions than the rest of the population. Mining is also a large industry and Brazil is the leading producer of iron ore. Many of these colonies are run by foreign companies who employ both workers from their own countries and native people. The unemployment rate runs about 7.5% and the literacy rate runs about 70%. However, it is a known fact that many of these numbers are made up by the Brazilian government. The real literacy rate runs around 30-50% and the unemployment rate is certainly higher.

There is a stark difference in the `haves" and "have-nots." The "haves" live in a nicer area of Brazil and can enjoy the benefits of private education, expensive meals, nicer houses, shopping malls and recreational activities. The "have-nots" are forced to live in substandard housing projects and use what public education is offered to them. They have an obvious lack of wealth and capital and cannot buy products that the "haves" can. The "have-nots" also lack medicine and sanitary conditions. Many of the poor live near or on the water and thus will be more likely to contract disease and sickness from the animals that defecate in the water or the pollutants dumped by Brazil's factories and companies. The diets of the "haves" and "have-nots" also show the contrast between the classes. The "haves" can enjoy a nice dinner and feast on delicacies while the "have-nots" have to eat base meals and in some cases starve.