Social Change Poverty And Education
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Abstract
When treating psychological patients, there are many factors which need to be considered. In fact, depending on the problem, the context under which the evaluation takes place may influence the outcome of the evaluation. Looking for solutions to psychological problems, there are times when known relationships can be leveraged to make a difference. In this paper, the relationship between education and poverty, in light of psychological inquiry, will be considered, compared and contrasted within multiple contexts.
Social Change in Context:
Poverty and Education
Introduction
During treatment, it is important to establish an open, honest relationship with the psychologist; however, often times a client may be embarrassed, or ashamed to be completely honest. For example, when an individual has not achieved even a minimal degree of education, say past grade school, or when an individuals financial situation places him/her below the poverty line. As clinicians, the way patients are treated, the advice they are given and ultimately the path chosen to move past illness may have a profound impact on the individuals life. As a result, many persons who are poverty stricken, or who have not gone through basic education training may choose not to reveal these facts for fear of being ridiculed. That is to say, persons who struggle financially, people who have not achieved in the world of academia may have a difficult time in treatment. Is difficulty cause by clinician bias? What about client bias? “Will the Psychologist understand the plight of someone in my situation”? “Will the psychologist treat me differently”? Surely the daily struggles of an individual who has concerns about paying for the next meal, or the daily grind of an individual who cannot read will impact the possibility for the individual to build and maintain a relationship, especially a relationship clinical in nature. Is it possible, however, the relationship between poverty and education goes deeper than what is on the surface? Lack of education and poverty, are they really two distinct problems?
Poverty
In the United States, the term poverty is thrown around with absurd freedom. However, according the US Census Bureau, poverty is calculated quite precisely. To begin, poverty is computed by including: earnings, unemployment compensation, public assistance, pension or retirement income, alimony, child support along with various other sources; whereas many non-cash benefits are not counted, items such as: food stamps and housing subsidies (2005). Diagram 1, below, shows the calculations used to determine “poverty”. From a clinicians perspective, if poverty can be described by the numbers below, is it likely an individual making $9,393 per year is going to spring for psychological treatment? Certainly it is not likely the individual will pay for treatment by his/her own volition. In the context of a family whose family income is at or around the mark determined by the US Census bureau, the first real problem is seen. How does an individual become considered for treatment?
Poverty Thresholds for 2003 by Size of Family and Number of Related Children Under 18 Years
(Dollars)
Weighted
Related children under 18 years
Size of family unit
average
Eight
thresholds
Three
Seven
or more
One person (unrelated individual).
9,393
9,573
9,573
8,825
8,825
12,015
Householder under 65 years…..
12,384
12,321
12,682
Householder 65 years and over……
11,133
11,122
12,634
14,680
14,393
14,810
14,824
18,810
18,979
19,289
18,660
18,725
22,245
22,887
23,220
22,509
21,959
21,623
25,122
26,324
26,429
25,884
25,362
24,586
24,126
28,544
30,289
30,479
29,827
29,372
28,526
27,538
26,454
31,589
33,876
34,175
33,560
33,021
32,256
31,286
30,275
30,019
37,656
40,751
40,948
40,404
39,947
39,196
38,163
37,229
36,998
35,572
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey 2004 Annual Social and Economic Supplement.
Diagram 1
Next, let us forget about the money required to receive treatment and consider the illnesses or effects which are commonly experienced by individuals with insufficient household finances. Of utmost importance, let us consider the evidence compiled through longitudinal studies of children. When a child