On Other People's Words

While reading Purcell-Gates' book, I gained further insight in how much the literacy of families impacts the expectations that the child has. Because Jenny and Big Donny did not use reading and writing practices as normal and routine parts of their day, Donny did not find importance, nor the need, to read and write. This was reflected in his attitude toward schooling.

I noticed how one of the largest barriers to their learning was the attitude that they carried about their ability (or inability to them) to learn how to read. This deficit of motivation most likely stemmed from a multitude of things that were cultural, personal and familial.