Boys in Poverty: A Framework for Understanding Dropout

Finalist-ForeWord Reviews 2010 Book of the Year Award

Boys in Poverty examines the relationship between poverty and dropout among males by examining a wide range of risk factors, including the absence of role models; the trauma of violence and abuse; peer pressures; issues of belonging and not belonging; culturally driven expectations that boys should work rather than finish school, and cognitive and developmental issues that affect boys learning. In addition, the authors look at community and school system factors, such as poor teachers, unfair or punitive discipline policies, and the absence of differentiated instruction. The book structures these issues into four strands, or categories, of development physical, emotional, cognitive, and social, examining how each is exacerbated by poverty. Additional chapters explore the special problems of sensitive, gay, gifted, and ADHD boys and issues of post-adolescent males beyond high school age. Within each of these areas of development, the authors offer concrete suggestions for keeping boys engaged with school and the learning process.