Many researchers, including Maeroff (1998),
discuss the effects of poverty within the context of
social capital. These authors remind us that poor
children often are lacking in four types of social
capital:
• A sense of academic initiative. Many students
lack a school work ethic, good study habits, and
a high level of self-discipline. Academic success
is not perceived as relevant to their future lives.
• A sense of knowing. Many students do not have
a sturdy foundation upon which to build success
in school. They do not have the opportunities to
thrive, which include pre-school attendance,
travel, summer camps, home computers, tutors,
music lessons, organized sports, exposure to the
arts, coaching for college admissions tests, and
visits to colleges.
• A sense of connectedness. Many students feel
alienated and do not have a sense of belonging
to their community, neighborhood, or school. To
be successful in school, students must feel that
they “belong” and perceive the work of school
as having great value. Connectedness also means
that students have good relationships with adults
in the school, the home, and the neighborhood.
These adults can be advocates for students as
they face barriers and problems in and out of
school.
• A sense of well-being. Poverty, concerns for
one’s emotional and psychological well-being,
and worries about what the future holds cause
many students to develop a negative sense of
well-being. As a result, many have little sense of
hope, combined with low levels of selfconfidence
and self-respect.
When Keith was asked what he wanted to
be when he grew up, he became angry
and responded: “I don’t know! Why you
asking me that? I might be dead or in
jail!”