lesson 4 - what are the impacts of poverty & activity 5

2.3 What are the impacts of poverty? (p.58)

Lesson 4

To the poor

Poor people often lack resources to satisfy their material life (物質生活 ).

quality of life (生活質素 ) is low

They often have a lot of stress (壓力 ). affects their emotions (情緒 ) results in problems such as suicide (自殺 ) and do

mestic violence (家庭暴力 )

To the society

If the number of poor people keeps increasing, low income groups will become more discontented (不滿 ) with the society.

People may participate in criminal activities (犯罪 ) in order to make a living

Harms social harmony (和諧 ) and adversely affects social stability (安定 )

To the society

The government needs to put resources to reduce poverty

increases its financial burden (財政負擔 )

Intergenerational poverty (跨代貧窮 )

Since poor families do not have enough resources for their children to receive high quality education, their children may become not competitive after they grow up.

They can only engage in low-income jobs and remain poor.

Results in intergenerational poverty

Activity 5 – A very poor family

Fig. 1

Mr. Lau has worked in the paint industry(塗料 /油漆業 ) for many years.

Until recently, he only works half of the time in a month.

As a result, his income is reduced to around $5000.

His wife and four children came to Hong Kong from the mainland a few years ago.

They live in a house of 200 square feet and it is very crowded (擠迫 ).

Fig. 2

Their home has no space to place a desk.

The eldest daughter, who is 13 years old, can study only after her younger brother and sisters finish their homework.

She wants a computer but her parents cannot afford it.

She has not complained about it.

Fig.3

The four children do not have any toys, but they entertain (娛樂 ) themselves by going to the library and community centres (社區中心 ) to play computer games without spending money.

For most of us, $500 is enough for a nice buffet in hotel, but it is enough for the Lau’s family to spend on meals for a week.

Fig. 4

Even though their lives are difficult, they enjoy the family relationship and do not complain.

1 (a) Describe the situation of the Lau’s family in the following aspects.

Living condition Diet Entertainment Parent-child relationship


Living conditions

- Six people have to live in a flat of 200 square feet.

- There is not enough space for the children to do homework.


Diet (飲食 ) Expenditure on meals for a week i

s $500.


Entertainment (娛樂 ) Children choose free entertainmen

t, e.g. reading in the library, playing computer games in community centers.


Parent-child relationship Their family relationship is good. T

hey have no complaints (投訴 ) against other family members.

1 (b) If you were one of the family members in the Lau’s family, which of the above aspects you would want to change the most? Why? Share your views with your classmates.

2. How does poverty affect children? Write your answers in the figure below.

Influence of poverty on children

Affecting normal social life (社交生活 ), such as not having enough money to p

articipate in extra-curricular activities and not willing to get along with people.

Lack of basic necessities, such as lacking food which may lead to

malnutrition (營養不良 ).

Self-doubt, having low

self-esteem (自信 ), which affect their

mental health.

Overcrowding

living conditions resulting in poor growing and learning environment.

Reminders

Newspaper cutting Deadline: 30/3 (Day 1)

Test A. Education p.21-27 B. Poverty p.47-53

Presentation Cycle 21