Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T00:10:04.387Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A Culture of Poverty with Special Reference to the Aboriginal Community of Australia and the Former South African Dispensation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 July 2015

Johann le Roux
Johann le Roux*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Education, Health & Professional Studies, University of New England, Armidale, NSW
Get access

Extract

Cultures of poverty represent a worldwide phenomenon of considerable topical interest. The term designates a social grouping with low socioeconomic and cultural levels (viewed from the dominant culture's perspective), and scant social and economic status. Consequently families in disadvantaged environments are subjected to adverse factors such as poverty, cultural and geograpical isolation, membership of a non-technological cultural group, physical deficiencies, and the high mobility and uprooting of families caused by migrant labour and rapid industrialisation and resultant urbanisation. Although the various social groups in cultures of poverty may differ worldwide in certain respects, they do share some of the following common indicators: low economic and social status, a low level of education, poor housing, limited privacy, insufficient or unsuitable food, inferior occupations or unemployment, limited community involvement, and a limited potential for upward social mobility. These characteristics are indicative of social groups that are caught up in a spiral or syndrome of poverty, deprivation and cultural destitution because of their disadvantaged milieu and psychosocial impediments. For this reason they are seriously handicapped in their efforts to achieve optimal self-actualisation, to improve their chances in life, and to make an invaluable, meaningful and constructive contribution to a dynamic technocratic society.

Type
Section D: Discussion Papers
Information
The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education , Volume 25 , Issue 1 , April 1997 , pp. 42 - 50
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Atchison, J. (1993) ‘The symbiosis of assimilation and multiculturalism.’ In Gamage, S. (Ed.), Studies on Assimilation, Pluralism and Multiculturalism in Australia. Armidale: University of New England.Google Scholar
Carnoy, M. (1974) Education as Cultural Imperialism. New York: David McKay Co.Google Scholar
Christie, M.J. (1985) ‘Aboriginal Perspectives on Experience and Learning: the Role of Language in Aboriginal Education. Victoria: Deakin University Press.Google Scholar
Davies, E. and McGlade, M. (1982) ‘Cultural values affecting the Aboriginal child at school.’ In Sherwood, J. (Ed.), Aboriginal Education, Issues and Innovations. Perth: Creative Research.Google Scholar
DEET (1994) National Review of Education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service.Google Scholar
Eckermann, A-K. (1985) ‘Home school-relations: some ideas.’ The Aboriginal Child at School 13(5): 11–21.Google Scholar
Eckermann, A-K. (1987) ‘Learning styles, classroom management, teacher characteristics and rural-urban Aboriginal people: some thoughts.’ Discourse 7(2): 55–68.Google Scholar
Eckermann, A-K. and Dowd, L.T. (1993) ‘Structural violence and self determination/self management.’ In Gamage, S. (Ed.), Studies on Assimilation, Pluralism and Multiculturalism in Australia. Armidale: University of New England.Google Scholar
Edgar, D., Earle, L. and Fopp, R. (1993) Introduction to Australian Society, 2nd edn. Sydney: Prentice Hall.Google Scholar
Furze, B. and Stafford, C. (Eds) (1994) Society and Change. A Sociological Introduction to Contemporary Australia. Melbourne: MacMillan Education Australia.Google Scholar
Giroux, H.A. (1983) ‘Theories and reproduction and resistance in the new sociology of education: a critical analysis.’ Harvard Educational Review 53(3): 257–296.Google Scholar
Harris, S. (1995) ‘Pay the rent: Mabo Aboriginal and the big picture of education.’ Ngoonjook, A Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues, 11 May 1995.Google Scholar
Herbert, J. (1995) ‘Gender issues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls — exploring issues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island boys.’ The Aboriginal Child at School 23(2): 916.Google Scholar
Higgins, R. (1991) ’Effective teaching strategies in isolated Aboriginal communities: some issues to consider.’ The Aboriginal Child at School 19(4): 3–13.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ionn, M.A. (1995) ‘Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders and equitable educational outcomes: a focus on how schools and society maintain misconceptions.’ The Aboriginal Child at School 23(4): 37–44.Google Scholar
Kaplan, G. and Eckermann, A-K (1996) ‘Identity and culture shock: Aboriginal children and schooling in Australia.’ McGill Journal of Education 31(1): 7–24.Google Scholar
le Roux, J. (1993) The Black Child in Crisis, Vol. 1. Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers.Google Scholar
le Roux, J. (1994) The Black Child in Crisis, Vol. 2. Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers.Google Scholar
Lippmann, L. (1981) Generations of Resistance: The Aboriginal Struggle for Justice. Melbourne: Longman Cheshire.Google Scholar
Lynch, J. (1986) Multicultural Education: Principles and Practices. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.Google Scholar
McConnochie, K.R. (1982) ‘Aborigines and Australian education: historical perspectives.’ In Sherwood, J. (Ed.), Aboriginal Education: Issues and Innovations. Perth: Creative Research.Google Scholar
McTaggart, R. (1989) ’Aboriginalization implies empowerment and disempowerment.’ The Aboriginal Child at School 17(2): 37–44.Google Scholar
Mncwabe, M.P. (1990) Separate and Equal Education. Durban: Butterworths.Google Scholar
Reynolds, H. (1982) The Other Side of the Frontier: Aboriginal Resistance to the European Invasion of Australia. Melbourne: Penguin Publishers.Google Scholar
Rowley, C.D. (1970) The Destruction of Aboriginal Society. Sydney: Penguin Publishers.Google Scholar
Smith, R.G. (1995) ‘Addressing issues of equity and access in the delivery of arts education to Aboriginal students.’ The Aboriginal Child at School 23(4): 22–29.Google Scholar
Stewart, I. (1987) ‘Aboriginal education at Jervis Bay: a case study.’ Unpublished MEd thesis, The University of New England.Google Scholar
Walton, C. (1993) ‘Literacy in Aboriginal contexts: re-examining pedagogy.’ In Luke, A. and Gilbert, P. (Eds), Literacy in Context: Australian Perspectives and Issues. Sydney: Allen & Unwin.Google Scholar
Watson, H. and Chambers, D.W. (1989) Singing the Land, Signing the Land. Geelong: Deakin University Press.Google Scholar
Weir, M.R. (1993) ‘Aboriginal pedagogy and lists of cultural differences.’ Unpublished Master of Curriculum Studies (Hons) thesis, The University of New England.Google Scholar
Wolpe, H. and Unterhalter, E. (1991) Apartheid Education and Popular Struggles. Johannesburg: Ravan Press.Google Scholar
Yarwood, T. and Knowling, M.J. (1982) Race Relations in Australia: A History. Sydney: Methuen Australia Ltd.Google Scholar
Yavu-Kama, C. (1988) ‘Empowerment through learning from a black Australian perspective.’ In Harvey, B. and McGinty, S. (Eds), Learning My Way. Mount Lawley: Western Australia College of Advanced Education.Google Scholar