Living situations often have a huge effect on a person's demeanor, attitude, mood, and ability to concentrate.  The living situation provides the foundation for life and can affect a person for many hours after they leave the home.  The effects can be positive or negative. 

        When students have a positive home environment, they are often achievers, well adjusted, happy, content, and secure.  Their living situation provides a secure basis for their lives and they are often able to concentrate on their learning.

        When students have a negative emotional home environment, the negative feelings that exist in an insecure or dangerous home go with the child throughout the day.  They may be anxious, frustrated, angry, unsettled, inattentive, embarrassed, aloof, aggressive, or sad.  They may find it difficult to concentrate in school, difficult to study at home or finish homework, and difficult to maintain healthy relationships with teachers and peers.  For these children, we need to pay close attention.  It may be necessary to contact social services or offer counseling for the students.  While these students are in our classrooms, they will benefit from a safe and happy environment.  Many find that the school offers the stability and security they are missing at home. 

        Some children come from loving, stable, supportive families, but live in substandard conditions.  I have many students like this.  Most of my students live in very modest houses.  Some do not have running water.  Some do not have indoor bathrooms.  None have air conditioning.  Some live in two room houses where the entire family sleeps in one room.  None of them have their own bedrooms and all share with siblings.  All of them are part of families with at least 4 children, so there is very little privacy or room to study well.  Some live with fathers who are abusive or are alcoholics. Some live with single mothers who are taking care of 8 children and they have to help a lot.  Some have tuberculosis and are in treatment.  Some rarely have extra food and their families struggle to make ends meet.  All of this has an affect on them.  When basic physical and emotional needs are barely being met, learning is rarely at the top of the list.  

        Abraham Maslow, a psychologist, developed a theory that today is called Maslow's hierarchy of needs.  It is explained below.  Based on his theory, a child's basic needs such as the physical needs of food and shelter must be met first.  Then, they must feel safe and secure.  After these basic needs are met, their psychological needs can be met.  This includes relationships and self-esteem.  Finally, after the other needs are met, and only after they are met, a person can achieve their full potential.  Maslow's hierarchy is needs is described more fully below:  

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or, here is another explanation....

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We can not change the living conditions of our students, but we can provide a safe, welcoming, positive environment in our classrooms where all students and teachers feel comfortable and secure.  Teachers can be observant as students arrive. Greeting students at the door and chatting with them for a few minutes can give us an idea of how they are feeling, if there are any specific problems in their homes, or if something is bothering them.  If a student is upset or worried about something, they may not feel like participating fully in some of the activities, and that's ok.  They may feel like working alone, and that's ok.  They may act out or be overly anxious, and we can give them a little grace and support, instead of disciplining them for not behaving appropriately.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One example of a teacher who made a difference in the lives of students surviving in poor living situations, is Erin Gruwell.  One of her students was Manuel Scott, a 14 year old who was abusing drugs and not likely to reach graduation.  Erin Gruwell fought to gain the respect of her classroom full of students like Manuel.  She inspired Scott and his classmates to write. Their story became the 2007 Hollywood movie, Freedom Writers, starring Hillary Swank. Today, Scott is a Ph.D. candidate and motivational speaker (Walker, 2011).  Erin's example teaches us that through caring and perseverance, teachers can make a difference.  

 

References

 

Desai, S.  (2014, Feb. 25).  Maslow's hierarchy of needs.  Khan Academy.  Retrieved from:  https://youtu.be/JPhd76sGIs8

Madeira, L.  (2016, Oct. 9).  Maslow's hierarchy of needs - The Lion King.  Retrieved from:  

        https://youtu.be/UxdvcAJFRnc

Walker, T.  (2011).  Closing the culture gap.  Retrieved from:  http://www.nea.org/home/43098.htm

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