Writing.Com General Discussion

In the USA, many lower socio-economic communities were established in the areas near factories, highways, railway yards and areas where there is heavy truck traffic (refineries, siloes, etc.).

Therefore, the children of lower socio-economic communities are exposed to higher levels of pollution, especially lead. Lead poisoning can lead to delayed learning, as the lead displaces the sodium in the neurons. They also become unco-ordinated, and so even sporting prowess is impacted. And, worse, this stays in their system and can be passed on to the next generation.

So, yes, there is a very real impact on learning in lower socio-economic communities because of where they were literally placed. I say placed because when the Afro-American returned soldiers demanded their land, which white soldiers got, they were given land beside highways. This is one example.

In Australia, we have seen the children in the towns where lead manufacture or high steel manufacture takes place go through similar decreases in educational outcomes (Whyalla is one such town), and so much has been done to turn that around.

It's not the lack of money but the societal treatment of those without that creates the issues. Of course, I do not know how well schools are resourced in the USA; in Australia, libraries are so frequent and so large (and books are not banned) that any parent can borrow and take books home to read to their children; in fact - lower socio-economic families and higher socio-economic families are more inclined to read to their children than middle levels, according to Australian studies.