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poverty nature-nurture 110

Tough also deftly summarizes much of the recent work done on the cognitive neuroscience of poverty, or how our brain is changed by the details of our upbringing. (One crucial finding is that "middle-class" parents are much more verbose than parents living in poverty. For instance, one study found that wealthier parents directed an average of 487 "utterances" towards to their child per hour. In contrast, homes with a parent on welfare averaged a mere 178 utterances per hour. This leads, over time, to dramatic differences in the vocabulary size of the child, which strongly correlates with IQ.). (The Frontal Cortex)

brains poverty society

Education. Infrastructure. Health Care. Those are the basics. They are investments, and not simply redistributing the spoils of growth. But even with taxation, we can make changes. If I had to pick one issue, it would be using local taxes to support local schools. Seems like a good idea. But it then drives the educational segregation of people, of rich parents moving to rich school districts. Poor kids left with what they’ve got.

Why does it matter? Because environment makes a substantial difference in IQ. Because poverty poisons the brain.

Kids need a fighting chance. Material wealth, behavioral health, real opportunities—those are the basics. They will lead to a longer and a better life. (Neuroanthropology)

education poverty health economics grue