Differences Between Classes (SES)

Poverty deteriorates educational opportunities in several ways. If a student has poor health then they simply cannot focus whether it's due to vision, asthma, psychological effects, dental problems, and/or nutritional habits. The lack of supplies in a school contributes to the gap in resources between the affluent and impoverished societies. Students in poorer neighborhoods have to endure the countless hours their parents are working in order to make ends meet therefore they aren't able to help with homework. Sometimes families have to move from one place to another because of rent or bad neighborhoods. Aspirations and expectations of what you can accomplish are also an important factor in distinguishing a low-achieving school from a high-achieving school. More than likely, the students in poor schools have parents who either haven't gone to college or didn't even graduate from high school therefore they don't have a model to extends beyond the mold of a "working class" parent. Those in a more affluent school have parents who graduated from college and who sustain themselves well through their high-achieving job. 

Child rearing is also a significant way that poverty deteriorates educational opportunities. Salman Khan refers to the differences between how the working class and middle class respond to their misbehaved child. While the middle class parent will emphasize conversation and individualism, the working class parent will more than likely respond to the child forcing them to be obedient, punishing them, and/or making them conform to their ways. In effect, this perpetuates the gap of creativity. Middle class children are already ahead of the game regarding thinking for themselves as opposed to conforming. The working and middle class parents respond the way they do because of the type of work setting they're placed. Working class parents are most likely working in an environment that forces them to abide by rules but on the contrary, middle class parents represent a work place that allows for conversation and ability to think as an individual. So basically, both sets of parents were socializing children for future careers and it reflected their working environment.

In reflection, I can relate to the effects of child rearing because I was raised by a working father who was determined to discipline us every single time we did something wrong. We never had a conversation about whatever was done; rather he would tell us what we did wrong and how to fix it so that it ceases to happen again. My brother and I were very obedient children towards our Dad because we were scared to do something that would make him mad. This was reflected in my relationship towards my teachers throughout school. I saw them as an authority figure and didn't feel comfortable talking to them unless I had to. My Dad and I never held conversations outside of him disciplining me thus I rarely every spoke in the classroom. It's so interesting looking back on my education and the factors that play into how I received it. In retrospect I wish my relationships with my teachers and Dad were better and that there was an established two-way communication system rather than one-way.