The Effects of Urban Poverty: An Evaluation of Students' Experiences

Abstract

Children of urban poor families living in cities may be deprived of many opportunities offered by the city, especially quality education, and quality life. This study aims to determine the situations that may affect children's educational life and to reveal their characteristics within the framework of face-to-face in-depth interviews with children of urban poor families. The research was conducted using case study. While selecting the study group, attention was paid to the students' being urban poor and having a secondary disadvantage (broken family, imprisoned parents, having different ethnic origin, etc.). Accordingly, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 14 students and a semi-structured interview form was used to collect the data in the interviews. The data obtained from the interviews were analyzed using content analysis technique. The findings of the research are presented in order regarding the family and home organization, the neighborhood, the sociocultural environment, and the needs of the participant children. In the light of these findings, it is discussed how urban poverty affects quality educational outcomes. Suggestions are made that the negative effects can be improved through the coordinated efforts of teachers, school administrators, families, and other social actors.