Unequal Childhoods by Annette Lareau

After reading Unequal Childhoods(Lareau) I have a better understanding of how class, race affects ones family life and inturn ones childhood. The 6 families that were discussed in the book were: Tallinger's (middle class), Taylor(working class), Brindle(poor/lower class), Williams(upper middle class), Mc Allister ( poor/lower class), and Marshall( middle class). These families raised their children by either concerted cultivation, equipping their children with the tools to access power or accomplished natural growth whereby children are given boundaries in which to thrive and survive in. Both ways of child rearing has pros and cons.
Turning to the the New Jersey Real Cost of living Report the only families from Laureau's book that wouldn't have economic challenges would be the middle class families, Tallinger's, Williams' and Marshall. On the other hand the poorer families would have a range of challenges and concerns.
As for the Brindle family, the mother would need go back to school to get a higher level education so she could command a salary to become economically self sufficient. Welfare would not be enough for the Brindle family to survive in Essex County. The Taylor family would also have challenges even though the mother's working. An annual salary of $20,000 wouldn't be sufficient. The family would need some sort of government assistance, i.e health care, housing or food. She would also need higher education. With the cost of food shelter and clothing constantly increasing, families especially poorer families must constantly look for ways to enhance the skills they have or see if the skills they possess can be used in a higher paying career path.

As a teacher in training I must pay attention to the variety of socioeconomic conditions and cultural backgrounds that are represented in the city of Newark. Just because a child comes from an economically challenged family doesn't mean he or she shouldn't be afforded the same access to educational resources. Two children can have the similar socioeconomic backgrounds and live very different lives. As was seen in the Brindle and Taylor family.What's important as a teacher is to understand the differences and not let it be an excuse to fail your students. I must have high expectations for all my students