Re:What really drives the poor
by Lost_BiomedE on Saturday June 25, 2011 @06:55PM
(#2696828)
Agree. Dow chemical had a program where they would employ people from welfare families. They had to explain to them telephones, teach them about being on time, teach them to file (sometimes the alphabet as well), etc. Most came in for a week and left. Working was such a foreign concept to them, their families, and community that it did not make any sense to them. It is similar to the fish in water analogy or a reverse of 'if you want to be self-made rich hang out with self-made rich people'
Do you have a link or a keyword to look for? thanks.
Re:What really drives the poor
by Lost_BiomedE on Saturday June 25, 2011 @11:24PM
(#2697288)
Dow has changed a lot since then, and I am unsure if they have continued the program. This was at their Michigan plant in the 80s.
Now it looks like they have moved more to diversity, cultural, disability, and gender issues: http://www.dow.com/diversity/beliefs/outreach.htm
...and knowing wise choices exist. If you're brought up to just get by and the people all around you have the same mentality knowing that there's a superior mentality requires looking outside the box. This is where mentorship and real education (beyond education that conditions you to just show up on time) are valuable.