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Create a profile of a client struggling with poverty or showing characteristics of classism

Facilitating questions:

What is the appearance of the individual?

Demographics

What are the signs you suspect they have a certain social class and/or classist attitude?

What would you assume they have certain qualities based on your judgments in the previous questions?

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The person is a White man wearing dirty clothes on the side of the street asking for money. 

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The person is a White man wearing dirty clothes on the side of the street asking for money. 

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African American, Transgender Female. Born into a two parent / one income household. 17 years old and second oldest of 4 siblings. High school dropout, but pursuant of a GED. Lives in low income housing projects and works in food service.

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A young POC child that appears to have poor hygiene and has clothes that are too small or heavily worn down.

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The client is a middle-aged White woman who appears distressed and tired. The client discloses that she works multiple jobs and lacks a strong system of social support. It is suspected that this client comes from a lower socioeconomic status due to her need to work multiple jobs and the lack of time to maintain a work-life balance. I would assume that she does not practice proper nutrition, perhaps due to living in a food desert. I would also perhaps assume that her family of origin is also of a lower socioeconomic status and that this may contribute to various mental and physical health issues.

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Demographics I often associate with someone struggling with poverty are being female, having a lower educational level, and having several children. This is based on clients I have worked with in the past. They might also have housing instability- being in a shelter or staying with others temporarily. Trauma is frequently part of their past including generational trauma.

Clients I have worked with are often suspicious of institutions and professionals. They may present negative stereotypes about education depending on their own experiences. They may or may not self disclose about financial struggles. Some clients are more receptive to help from professionals than others.

Assumptions I make about clients are often associated with past clients I have worked with or people I have known. I realize this may bias me and work to see people as individuals.

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The client is a 20 year old white single mother of two. She reports she and her children have been living in a shelter for the last two months. She is currently seeking employment but also struggles finding childcare in order to work. Her children’s father is not in the picture and provides no help or support. It is suspected the client comes from a lower SES based on her current status of homelessness. She also reports she has no family to help her and appears worn down and exhausted.

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Client is a single mother of two in her twenties who has been hospitalized and diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Client expresses that she is worried about having to pay for her medical bills, and expresses financial concerns about being able to support her family amidst these bills. Financial strains and personal health concerns are taking a toll on both her physical and mental health.

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I think while it may often be a given that people or a person who struggles with poverty may appear a certain way, it can look like anyone, it can appear broad. There is the stereotypical idea that people may assume dressed in raggedy torn/dirty clothing, dirty, homeless, begging for money, living streets or “ghetto” is poverty, but then there are those we see and speak to everyday that may be one paycheck away from being homeless, or who may have 100.00 to their name and can fall within “poverty” definition. Then you can look at it from the perspective of 3rd world country, where it’s someone who doesn’t even have their basic needs met, such as access to clean water, electricity, access to healthcare, and can view them as “poverty”.

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Client is a POC who is homeless and has severe mental illness. The client wears a coat, pants, and beanie all year around. The client does not shower often, and their clothes are often dirty. Client also has a substance use disorder and has been refused to many SUD programs due to their SMI diagnosis. The client has been incarcerated for misdemeanor charges such as trespassing and disorderly conduct. Client has not received treatment at a state hospital. Local CSB has been trying to provide services for client, but client has not participated in services, their SMI diagnosis is suspected to be the reason.

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Somebody struggling with poverty may look a bit more aged, possibly in need of dental work or other health help, living in a smaller home or possibly couch surfing, may have a car or have to take public transportation, likely having mulitple children, wears clothing that may be worn or dirty, working a blue collar job or on government assistance.

Classist attitudes can look like being rude to someone, teasing, or refusing to help them because they appear to be in a different social class than you. Believing stereotypes about how people in different social classes behave or think. Using someone as a ticket or using your wealth to promote yourself by “helping the needy”.