Poverty In David Shipler's 'The Working Poor'

The Working Poor

Stories about life 's struggle to survive in everyday America can make one think twice of the American dream. In David Shipler’s book The Working Poor, David tells many different tales of people living in poverty and also analyzes what 's wrong and why. The book’s portrayal of the poor is not for the meek however, as one reviewer exclaims, “Through a series of sensitive, sometimes heart-rending portraits”, (Lenkowsky). In the book a lot of American ideologies are turned on its head as The Red Phoenix explains how our poor are viewed as, “Wealth and decadence are the tell-tale signs of hard work and brilliance paying off, while poverty is a sign of laziness, irresponsibility and a disposition or work-ethic undeserving of the

According to Lenkowsky Shipler seems to put blame on a lack of income for the reason why kids in families have corrosive relationships now and into the future. Developing mental and physical disabilities because they are poor it gives them less room for error thus developing these disabilities. The outlining reason children develop these issues is when you’re poor children are more likely to be prone to sexual abuse and this makes it harder for them to have families of their own and creates a feeling of helplessness. Added to this, in the book it explains that underfunded and poorly staffed schools also contribute to the underlying problem that children of the working poor face. Lenkowsky points out however, that this isn’t always the case for example Leary Brock who was a rape victim, drug addict, high-school dropout, and single parent was able to pull herself out of poverty. She was given a second chance an opportunity to take a job training instead of going to jail and went through with it and came out working for a company. It seems a strong family can cope or even pull through poverty to live happier lives but takes will power and

Chapter tells stories of kids that dream big but their everyday lives show that there smaller than their own dreams. Children in the poorer areas in America are usually always dreaming about being rich to have what the other side because of their situation they believe that’s what’s going to bring happiness to their lives. Alas, the way they go about it is all wrong or their heart is in the right place but don’t put enough effort in school and give up thus giving up on themselves. In poorer neighborhoods where survival comes first many kids put school second, third, or don’t even concern themselves with it. In the book one school of students had dreams of having all different kinds of occupations, some wanted be lawyers others models and be in sports. The teacher there would instead make them see the real world where if you can’t read or write and have good math skills how could you become any of those things. Students there would barely come to class, never do homework, and even would misbehave for a little attention and at some point even teachers would give up on their students thinking there is no hope for them. In fact, communities don’t have to be like this if there was more unity involved with the community instead of blaming each other then they could all reach a common ground and work together to make a better