Article from the New Yorker on Brain Development and Poverty
Over the years, many attributes, characteristics, and demographics have been used to categorize people. I remember when the infamous text – “The Bell Curve” – was published and resulted in an uproar because of the claims that people’s intelligence was, at least in part, explained by race. While many characteristics have been used to segregate people in our history, the one true demographic that truly does have an impact on our development (cognitive, social, etc.) is poverty. Poverty is the most damaging of all socio-demogaraphic characteristics. The study reported in this article highlights the impact of poverty on the developing brain. Poverty holds no lens for race, ethnicity, or culture, but it most definitely has an impact on our cognitive and emotional development. We really need to do a better job of supporting those who are in poverty so that their children will have a better chance at success.
Read the full article here: http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/what-poverty-does-to-the-young-brain
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