How the Recession is Impacting Middle School Students and Their Families
Today, I asked my 8th grade students to email me, and in the body of the email, to write about how the recession had impacted their families, themselves, and their friends over the past three or four years.
I was a bit taken-a-back by the candor of the students. Some of the families are really struggling. Here are some examples:
Since things in my household are okay, I often forget how bad things are out there.
Reading these emails made me feel sad, angry, embarrassed, frustrated, and generally unhappy.
I felt sad when hearing that some of my students were going without food, or unable to visit with friends, or even contact friends due to loss of phone/Internet.
I felt angry when I think about the perception that "if they would only look, they would find a job". In one case, the grandfather had been looking for a year, going out every day, and nothing. There simply is not enough money in the economy, and as a result, there are not enough jobs. I'm concerned that so few people recognize this.
I felt embarrassed when thinking back on how I share stories of going to Australia scuba diving, or downhill skiing, or buying a new computer, etc. All of these things would be impossible for many of my students' families. It's embarrassing that I forget how tough it is on some kids.
I felt frustrated when thinking about how the U.S. federal government is taking away the only means of supports for many people; people who could easily be the parents of my students, or their family members. There were students who mentioned federal government payments being reduced or cut off for older siblings, aunts and uncles, or grandparents. I also feel frustrated knowing that when the U.S. federal government decides to cut people off, that those same people are unable to spend money at the businesses, which means even more families will be impacted.
Finally, I feel generally unhappy about how difficult it is for some of the students, while some other students appear to be totally oblivious to what is going on. I feel unhappy in a very non-specific way just about how screwed up things are, and how no-one, literally no-one seems to be proposing realistic strategies helping the families of my students, and all of the families of all of the students in the country.
It makes me unhappy, very unhappy, that this appears to be the best we can do.
I was a bit taken-a-back by the candor of the students. Some of the families are really struggling. Here are some examples:
- both parents were without jobs, there was not enough food, was hungry for much of the summer
- father had to move out of state to find a job, and mom works a second job, so there was very little time to spend with family or friends
- grandparent lost their house after losing jobs
- not getting anything new for Christmas because not enough money to buy anything
- not enough money to buy shoes or a winter coat
- parents of friends are stressed out and probably "not going to make it"
- one student's 18-year old sibling has been unable to find any work; and the student is very concerned that she won't be able to support herself once she is on her own
- student's dad can't find a job and mom now has too work two jobs but there is less money coming in
- receiving phone calls constantly to pay bills, threatened cut offs of utilities, but there is no money to pay bills
- loss of Internet connection and/or cell phone service because unable to pay bills
- less money to shop for clothing, etc.
- unable to participate in summer camps, perhaps school sports
- can't visit friends and/or have friends over because not enough food in the house to host a guest
- taking less vacations or no vacations at all
Since things in my household are okay, I often forget how bad things are out there.
Reading these emails made me feel sad, angry, embarrassed, frustrated, and generally unhappy.
I felt sad when hearing that some of my students were going without food, or unable to visit with friends, or even contact friends due to loss of phone/Internet.
I felt angry when I think about the perception that "if they would only look, they would find a job". In one case, the grandfather had been looking for a year, going out every day, and nothing. There simply is not enough money in the economy, and as a result, there are not enough jobs. I'm concerned that so few people recognize this.
I felt embarrassed when thinking back on how I share stories of going to Australia scuba diving, or downhill skiing, or buying a new computer, etc. All of these things would be impossible for many of my students' families. It's embarrassing that I forget how tough it is on some kids.
I felt frustrated when thinking about how the U.S. federal government is taking away the only means of supports for many people; people who could easily be the parents of my students, or their family members. There were students who mentioned federal government payments being reduced or cut off for older siblings, aunts and uncles, or grandparents. I also feel frustrated knowing that when the U.S. federal government decides to cut people off, that those same people are unable to spend money at the businesses, which means even more families will be impacted.
Finally, I feel generally unhappy about how difficult it is for some of the students, while some other students appear to be totally oblivious to what is going on. I feel unhappy in a very non-specific way just about how screwed up things are, and how no-one, literally no-one seems to be proposing realistic strategies helping the families of my students, and all of the families of all of the students in the country.
It makes me unhappy, very unhappy, that this appears to be the best we can do.