1st Edition
Reducing Inter-generational Ethnic Poverty Economics, Psychology and Culture
This book looks at human capital development and provides an explanation for why cognitive development varies among ethnic groups. The book uses an interdisciplinary approach to examine inter-generational ethnic poverty. It puts forth an argument that the ethnic poverty gap can be reduced, and to do so we need a broader view of human capital which considers the match between the nature of the economy and the specific capabilities needed. The book focuses on the interrelationship between developmental psychology and socio-economic status and argues that the most important relationship in a knowledge economy is actually the one between a parent and a child.
The book begins by looking at cultures and assimilation and investigates the link between education, culture and socio-economic status. It also attempts to answer the question of what the link between culture, parents and children’s ability is and why ethnic groups vary in their nurturing. It delves into how parenting and cognitive development are interrelated.
This thought-provoking book concludes with an emphasis on nurture and how it may alleviate ethnic poverty and shape social policies. The book provides a strong thesis to counter explanations based on racial and genetic superiority.
1.Introduction 2. Assimilation, Cultural Superiority and Poverty 3. What is the link between Culture and Economic Systems? 4. What is the link between Culture, Parenting and Children’s ability? 5. Culture, Socio-economic Status and Educational Outcomes 6. Neuroscience and Ethnotheories 7. Human Capital, Cognitive Skills and Cultural Change 8. Blurred Lines: Socio-economic Status and Ethnicity 9. What are the Implications for Policy? 10. Two Case Studies 11. Poverty vs Welfare 12. Do We Really Want to Solve This?
Biography
Greg Clydesdale lectures at Lincoln University, New Zealand. His expertise centres on economic growth and welfare on which he has authored four books. He has conducted staff training and consultancy programmes for public and private organizations including the Ngai Tahu Development Corporation (a Maori tribe).
"The book will be useful for scholars with a pre-existing understanding of the explanations of poverty, development, and welfare by providing them with opportunities reflect on their beliefs on poverty reduction and consider the possibility of culture and parenting as a solution for narrowing the gap between disadvantaged ethnic groups and the mainstream groups." -Mengxing Ma, The University of Sheffield, UK.
‘This book examines inter-generational ethnic poverty from the perspective of human capital development. Drawing on a large amount of literature from different disciplines, for example, economy, anthropology, developmental and educational psychology, Clydesdale argues the important impacts of culture on material wealth creation by discussing the link between culture and economic systems, and the link between between culture, parenting, and children’s ability. …
Ultimately, this book provides a theoretical discussion about the influence of culture on parenting and material wealth creation. With caution, practitioners and policymakers may consider its suggestion on the provision of parental programs as a solution to inter-generational poverty reduction. The book will be useful for scholars with a pre-existing understanding of the explanations of poverty, development, and welfare by providing them with opportunities reflect on their beliefs on poverty reduction and consider the possibility of culture and parenting as a solution for narrowing the gap between disadvantaged ethnic groups and the mainstream groups. However, it may not be suitable for lay audiences or students who are new to this field because it presents a narrow understanding of poverty that is attributed to cultural characteristics.’
M. Ma (2021) Book Review of the Book Reducing Inter-generational Ethnic Poverty: Economics, Psychology and Culture by Greg Clydesdale for Progress in Development Studies
