Assignment

2. If we look at the families in Unequal Childhoods, we see that only four of the families could live comfortably, meeting the self-sufficiency wage: the Williams, Tallinger, Handlon, and the Marshall families. The other families would have a very difficult time residing in Essex county. The brindle and McAllistor familes would not be able to meet their basic needs with the public assistance they receive. Also the working class, Taylor, Driver, and Yanelli families, would have a very hard time because they do not meet the self-sufficiency wage but would not likely receive public assistance.

3. If we look more specifically at the struggles that the Brindle and McAllistor families would face, we can see that there will be issues with food, housing, transportation, health care, and childcare, to name a few. Living in poverty means that it is very difficult for them to meet their basic living needs. Neither of these families can come close to meeting the self-sufficiency wage of 39,299-40,413.

4. Students come from different backgrounds, and inevitably will have different issues that effect them. If a student spends each day worrying about where they are going to sleep that night or if there is going to be food, maybe school isn't on the top of their list of priorities. I think as educators we must be sensitive to this idea.

I am planning on becoming an instrumental music teacher. Playing an instrument can be expensive. the cost of accessories such as strings, reeds, valve oil, etc. can add up. When I was in school these things were not provided for you it was the student's responsibility. If I am going to be teaching in a setting where the cost of these things will be a big concern for my student's families, I might try and find a way to lessen the expense by trying to get the school to cover it or as much as can be budgeted.