Lives in the Balance (Suny Series, Urban Voices, Urban Visions) [Paperback]

Ann Diver-Stamnes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 1995 | Series: Suny Series, Urban Voices, Urban Visions

This book is a wake-up call to the nation dealing with the realities of the lives of young people living in poverty in the inner city. The perspective is unique: it combines the voices of students attending a high school in the Watts community of Los Angeles with current research to create a clearer picture of the lives of people who live in poverty and some of the factors which serve to perpetuate that poverty. The author focuses on issues cited by individuals who blame the poor for their own plight as evidence that those living in poverty are responsible for the state of their lives: academic failure, problematic family dynamics, adolescent maternity, child abuse, substance abuse, and gang membership. She debunks the myths and negative stereotypes about inner-city youth and challenges those blaming the poor, thereby providing the reader the opportunity to explore the socio-political realities of living in poverty.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ann C. Diver-Stamnes is Associate Professor at Humboldt State University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: SUNY Press (October 6, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791426688
• ISBN-13: 978-0791426685
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,106,217 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must for anyone considering teaching in the innercity., May 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Lives in the Balance (Suny Series, Urban Voices, Urban Visions) (Paperback)

This book would help teachers considering a career in an innercity area make a better choice. They may not understand the many roles they will be asked to assume, certainly they are not taught that in Teacher Prep courses. Great book.

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for everyone, January 22, 2011

By 

pteridophyta (Manila, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lives in the Balance (Suny Series, Urban Voices, Urban Visions) (Paperback)

This book tells the story of inner city education and the students within it. Diver-Stamnes assembles a well rounded and easily accessible mosaic of anecdotes supported by research and observation. A truely expert examination of the problems inner city education faces in much of the United States, which creates a comprehensive illustration of the intersections of socio-economic sitations, cultural issues, racism, violence, and hardships that so many children face. I recommend it to anyone who wants to expand their understanding of an important facet of the United States.