there is something very destructive about modern urban poverty. a study done in rural (mexico? central america?) with poor, but rural people found, parents talked very little to children under the age of two-- (but they talked in general. they just didn't converse with their babies)
once a baby had survived to the age of two, the parents be come much more affectionate, and interacted directly with the child (so many childeren died in infantcy, it was considered illogical to get to involved with a newborn.. young mother did it, but after they lost a child or two, they too, settled down to cultural norm)
and while there was poverty, (or certainly a lack of material goods and cash) families hunted, farmed, foraged, and bartered for food... and while the mothers didn't read to the kids, they did often tell them superstitions (like drop a spoon, and you'll have visitors.) and cosmic stories too, about the stars and the moons, and the kids thrived.. some who moved to decent urban environments (family intact, with reliable resourses,) and sent their kids to school, they kids did fine in school
its not reading (but reading is good!) it is talking, and communicating -- teaching folk lore-- (if not the alphabet), its being around people who see a future. and who have a connection to a past.. a heritage. that makes a big difference.
urban poverty --robs people of a view of the future. the poverty becomes a poverty of spirit, not just of resources.
kids in some countries are still taught the Koran orally, and when they finally get to see it.. its not hard for them to 'learn to read' it. or to read anything.. the mind might be primed for language.. but priming it to learn to read requires learning skillful use of language. (all most every kid learns to walk.. some people become track stars, or marathon runners. )everyone learns to talk.. but skillful use of language.. and reading is an advanced skill requires special effort..
