Book Review- Payne/Kingsolver

     A Framework for Understanding Poverty, by Dr. Ruby Payne, is just that. This book gives a structure and a method to understanding poverty. The two types of poverty that affect people are situational and generational. Generational poverty is mainly addressed in this book and defined in a simple, yet thought provoking manner. Topics explained in the book range from the necessity of resources and language registers to support systems and creating relationships.

     The Bean Trees, by Barbara Kingsolver, is an inspirational story of people who lead lives on a parallel plain with the before mentioned book. Some are victims of generational poverty, while others find themselves thrust into the situation of being poor. A common thread that runs through both is the importance of role models, emotional resources, and support systems. “Support systems are the friends, family, and back up resources that can be accessed in times of need.” (Payne 90)

     Taylor Greer, the main character of The Bean Trees, grew up in a small town in Kentucky. It is very “blue collar” and she has little hope of ever amounting to anything. But, “Mama always said pregnant and barefoot was not my style. She knew. It was in this frame of mind that I made it to my last year of high school without event.” (Kingsolver 4) Because her mother is such a strong, present, healthy role model, she has the courage to apply for a job at the hospital. It was offered by her teacher and keeps her out of trouble while building her confidence. Payne writes that to become a fully functioning adult you must move through the three stages of dependence, independence, and interdependence. Taylor needs her mother to model how to do that. “When the appropriate role models are present, the child can go though the developmental stages at appropriate times and build emotional resources.” (Payne 84)

     One thing that greatly surprised me while reading the Payne book was the information about mediation. Payne writes that it is three things: identification of the stimulus, assignment of meaning, and identification of a strategy. When you read about crime in the newspaper it is easy to think, “Just stop breaking the law!” But I learned it isn’t that easy. The following is an example of how mediation affects people’s lives. If an individual

“has not developed the ability to plan, then he can’t predict. If an individual can’t predict, he can’t identify cause and effect. If an individual can’t identify cause and effect, he can’t identify consequence. If an individual can’t identify consequence, he can’t control impulsivity. If an individual can’t control impulsivity, he has an inclination toward criminal behavior.”  (Payne 121)

     The Payne book lists cognitive strategies. These are input, elaboration, and output. Basically this is how a person can acquire the skill of mediation. When I am in the classroom I will be well read and aware of these strategies. The only way students of generational poverty will be successful is if someone teaches them how to be. I will definitely implement these skills like planning behaviors, control impulsivity, and identify constancies across variation. Some concrete examples I found in the book are to use graphic organizers, use a kinesthetic approach, and use rubrics. I have also already used these strategies during my student teaching.

      The Payne book caused me to think about language registers from a different perspective. I always knew the importance of speech in formal situations, like a job interview, but had never thought how much it affects all aspects of your life. While completing practicum hours at Minne Lusa I noticed that it was difficult for the students to get to a specific point and almost impossible to summarize articles. I would ask a question and still be waiting for the answer two minutes later. I understand now that some students were using casual register and discourse patterns. “In casual register, the pattern is to go around and around and finally get to the point.” (Payne 43) It also explains another problem with assessment tests. They are written in formal register. If you can’t speak it, you can’t answer questions written using it.

     I didn’t realize how important resources are. My personal resources are so rock solid it seems impossible to imagine being without them. Yet millions of people everyday are without. They simply have few, if any options. Resources are the following: financial, emotional, mental, spiritual, physical, support systems, role models, and knowledge of hidden rules. These are the “unspoken cues and habits of a group” (Payne 16)

     Taylor, in The Bean Trees, leaves home to find a better life. She has nowhere to go and little money. She makes a plan to drive until her beat-up car gives out, and live wherever she lands. When two tires blow in Tucson, Arizona, she finds a new home. She has no support system, financial, or spiritual resources. But, through her mother being a good role model, she has the emotional, mental, and physical resources to get her through. Eventually Taylor establishes a good support system through friends and a roommate, while a good job takes care or her financial worries. She also learns how to be nurturing to an abused child (Turtle) she acquires on the road, and will be able to pass this knowledge onto her.

     The Payne book and The Bean Trees made me think about how important relationships are. Taylor would never have been successful if not for the influential people in her life. As pertaining to moving from poverty to middle class, there must be someone to model, sponsor, teach the hidden rules, and more. Payne writes that the key to achievement for students from poverty is in creating relationships with them. “When students who have been in poverty (and successfully made it into middle class) are asked how they made the journey, the answer 9 times out of 10 has to do with a relationship-a teacher, counselor, or coach who made a suggestion or took an interest in them as individuals.” (Payne 143)

     I would recommend both of these books to anyone. I believe the information in A Framework For Understanding Poverty is invaluable. It will greatly help an educator to understand their students of generational poverty in a way they never have. It will teach them strategies to implement into their classrooms that can change students’ lives for the better. For the general population I believe it will dispel possible beliefs of laziness and lack of academic prowess, being the reason some people in poverty have an inclination toward crime. The Bean Trees is an entertaining, excellent, and accurate example of living in poverty and all it entails. It shows examples of situational and generational poverty. Both books were very enjoyable and educational.