React to the Poor Kids in America film

Instructions: Answer all questions listed below and react to the Poor Kids in America film which takes a fascinating look into lives of children experiencing poverty in their everyday lives. While there is a focus on families and how the families in the film became poor, the focus of the film is centered on the lived, every day, experiences of children. It should be noted that this is a very rare look into poverty from children’s eyes and perspectives. There are very few films that chronicle children’s lives living in poverty.* I will state that this film is very serious in tone and that the children are blunt about describing their lives, their families, and their futures. Also, the dog in the film does live!

Video Link:

Use which ever link runs the best on your computer:

Poor Kids in America: http://www.pbs.org/video/2306814133/

Poor Kids in America: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/poor-kids/

Video: Poor Kids in America

[1.] What are some of the factors mentioned in the film that children saw as causing or contributing to poverty in their own lives?

[2.] What are some of the consequences of poverty for the children in the film?

[3.] How do the children in the film suffer socially?

[4.] How does the children’s education suffer in the film? What if I told you that Kaylie misses weeks to months of school at a time! How might this impact her education? What does Kaylie say about education at the end of the film?   

[5.] How does being poor impact the children’s food and food choices? Is the food the food that the children eat healthy? How does this impact the children’s self-esteem and body image?

[6.] What kind of food insecurity do the different families face? What kinds of programs assist the families? Discuss all three families!

[7.] What kind of access to food assistance does Brittany Smith receive at her school? What is the purpose of the food program through her school? *Consider this, the food provided is supposed to supplement Brittany’s food only. What happens to Brittany’s food once she returns hone with it?     

[8.] What types of issues were the adults worried, stressed, and anxious about in the film?

[9.] Briefly discuss the children’s overall quality of life as a response to living in poverty? What is their life like each day? Discuss all 3 families!

[10.] The poverty of culture perspective that Symbolic Interactionist theorists are trying to challenge, states that “poor children are dumb” and “unaware of their social world”. Do the kids in the film seem very wise and smart for the age? Why do they these children appear to be wise beyond their years? Is this good for the kids in the film?

[11.] I often have students comment that the children in the film seem to be growing up way too fast! Do you think that the children in the film are growing up too early and have to deal with very adult situations in their lives at a young age? How might this impact their lives later on as adults?  

[12.] How does being impoverished contribute to the children in the film being stressed, worried, and anxious? Did you notice any specific examples of stressed out moments from the kids?

[13.] What were the goals and dreams of the children in the film? Do they ever give up on trying to accomplish them? Is their ability to hold onto their dreams inspirational?

[14.] What do you think about the Smith family’s “third baby bombshell moment” in the film? How does Brittany see the new baby’s life?

[15.] Explain why Kaylie and Tyler are living in absolute poverty and not relative poverty? [*Hint: Think about access to food, school, and residence (where they live or don’t live)] 

[16.] What happens to Kaylie’s dog? What does this illustrate about the harsh realities of poverty? Is this something you could do to your own pets?

[17.] Once Kaylie moves into the hotel, what does she do all day? Does she have any friends? How would you describe Kaylie’s life at the motel/ hotel?

[18.] Why is transitioning out of the shelter difficult for Jasmine’s family? What happens to their food assistance after leaving the shelter? Does this put the family at risk for going back to the shelter?

[19.] All of the children in the film know they need an education, a good job, and opportunities to succeed. What do the children know will happen to them without these things? Give specific examples!        

[20.] What is your reaction to this film?