The Poverty Game as a Teaching Tool

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 see that Tracy Ore has changed the game a bit from 3 years ago, it does
include an approach that examines   "relative poverty"
____________________________
Hello all--

I received so many requests for the exercise that I thought I should pass
it along to the whole list. Below are the instructions, etc. for the game.
If you have seen this before, please be aware that I have updated it. In
addition, some of the information is specific to Central Minnesota so you
may need to change things for your own location.

When I do this exercise I give students cards with random life experiences.
Some examples of text on these cards:

Oops...You forgot to use protection! A new member of your family is on the
way! Include in your budget increased expenses for medical care as well as
the food, clothing and shelter arrangements necessary.

Congratulations! Your child receives a full scholarship to the college of
her or his choice! Make the necessary changes in your budget.

Telegram: Your elderly parents (who both require constant medical care) are
coming to live with you. Include in your budget increased expenses for
medical care as well as the food, clothing and shelter arrangements necessary.

I can send these cards as an e-mail attachment if you would like to see
them. If you are unable to read attachments I would be happy to send a
master of the cards along to you by snail mail, but it will take a few weeks.

I have done this exercise in an hour class and I have also done it as a
semester long project, with students working in groups as families, getting
a life situation or two a week (in the form of a "life happens" card) and
reporting periodically on the status of their families. At the end of the
semester the students submit a final report on their families.

I appreciate any and all suggestions to the game. Feel free to use the game
as you like. All I ask is that you credit the source whenever you use it.

Take care,


Tracy



Life Happens: A Work, Class, & Access to Resources Game
Created by:    Tracy E. Ore
    Assistant Professor, Saint Cloud State University,
    Department of Human Relations & Multicultural Education.

Instructor Directions
The Objectives:
1. For "families" to provide their members with the basic necessities of:
* Food
* Clothing
* Shelter
2. For "families" to provide their children with the best possible education.
3. To maintain the physical and mental well being of each family member by
providing:
* Health care
* Entertainment
* Vacations
* Etc.
The Equipment:
* Family Descriptions
* Cost of Living Sheets
* Life Happens Cards
Preparation:
    Have class members count off from 1-7. After counting off, class members
should then divide into seven groups according to their respective numbers.
    Each group is then given a Family Profile that indicates the make-up of
the family (e.g., how many adults, children, etc.), the household income,
the amount of assets, as well as any special circumstances.
During the Game:
    Each family must meet the needs of each member and develop and maintain
the budget of the household. Families can calculate a weekly, monthly, or
annual budget--whichever is most manageable.
    The instructor periodically distributes Life Happens cards that indicate
an event or circumstance that will impact the family. Members of that
particular family will have to make attempts to accommodate the events and
circumstances of these cards.
    The instructor acts as the government/state/and any other institution that
has the responsibility of insuring the welfare and safety of children. Due
to the lack of response or the irresponsibility of particular families, it
may be necessary to take children into protective custody.
Ending the Game:
    The game ends after each family has had adequate time to manage their
budgets, deal with their particular life circumstances (as determined by
their profile and Life Happens cards), etc. Family members should give an
oral report to the entire class with regard to their beginning
circumstances, life events, and eventual outcome. The class will then
discuss how well they think each family dealt with their particular
situations.

Family Profile #1
 
    After Tax Annual Income: $15,450.00
    Assets:          $0.00
 
Family Members:    1 Adult Female
    1 Adult Male
    1 female child age 6
    1 male child age 7
 
Description:    Your family lives in an apartment in Sauk Rapids. Both adults
work full-time for minimum wage. Your employers provide no health benefits.
The youngest child has a learning disability and requires additional
tutoring outside of the public school she attends.
 
Family Profile #2
 
    After Tax Annual Income: $35,000.00
    Assets:   $0.00
 
Family Members:    2 Adult Females
    1 male child age 6 months
    1 male teenager age 18
 
Description:    Your family lives in an apartment in Saint Cloud. One adult
works as a teacher in the public schools. She and one child are covered
under her employer's insurance program. The other adult recently lost her
job as a US West employee. The teenager is applying to go to college.
 
Family Profile #3
 
    After Tax Annual Income: $45,000.00
    Assets: $5,000.00 (Non-liquid)
 
Family Members:    1 Adult Female
    1 Adult Male
    3 Teenagers age 13-17
 
Description:    Your family lives in a (not-yet-paid-for) house in Waite Park.
One adult works full-time at the Frigidaire plant. The other adult works
part-time at Fingerhut. The oldest child is autistic and requires an adult
be home with him.
 
 
Family Profile #4
 
    After Tax Annual Income: $75,000.00
    Assets: $15,000.00 (Non-liquid)
 
Family Members:    1 Adult Female
    1 Adult Male
    1 female child age 4
    1 male child age 8
 
Description:    Your family lives in a (not-yet-paid-for) house in Saint
Cloud. Both adults work full-time in a small business that you own. Your
health insurance is provided through your business.
 
 
Family Profile #5
 
    After Tax Annual Income: $20,000.00
    Assets:          $0.00
 
Family Members:    1 Adult Female
    1 child age 3
 
Description:    Your family lives in an apartment in Sartell. The adult works
full-time as a nurse's aid in a near-by hospital. The friend that watches
your child while you work is moving away soon. You will need to make
alternative arrangements.
 
 
Family Profile #6
 
    After Tax Annual Income: $125,000.00
    Assets: $20,000.00 (Non-liquid)
 
Family Members:    2 Adult Males
    1 teenage male age 16
 
Description:    Your family lives in a (not-yet-paid-for) house within the
city limits of Saint Cloud. You own two cars, one of which is paid for.
Both adults work as lawyers: one as a public defender, the other in a
private firm. Each employer provides health benefits. Your son is hoping to
graduate early from high school and is considering traveling before
attending college.
 
 
Family Profile #7
 
    After Tax Annual Income: $200,000.00
    Assets: $100,000.00
 
Family Members:    1 Adult Female
    1 Adult Male
    2 female children age 3 and 12
    2 male children age 17 and 18
 
Description:  Your family lives in a house in Saint Cloud. One adult serves
as the president of a Bank. Health benefits are provided for your entire
family through the employer. You own two cars, both of which are paid for.
The other adult does not work outside the home. The oldest teenager is
applying to college. The 12 year-old-girl has a learning disability and
requires additional tutoring outside of the public school she attends.

Cost of Living
(Monthly)
 
Mandatory Costs:
 
Food
    Food on sale (lower quality, mostly prepared foods):    $100 per person
    Food not on sale (higher quality, fresh vegetables, etc.):    $175 per
 person
Clothing (Buying new and cleaning old)    $20.00 per person (minimum)
Shelter
    Renting an apartment within Saint Cloud:    $550 (gas & electric not
 included)
    Renting an apartment in all other areas:    $350 (gas & electric not
 included)
    Buying a 3 Bedroom home:
 
        Rural    $10,000 down, $500/month
        Saint Cloud Area    $20,000 down, $800/month
Utilities:
    Gas & Electric    $75
    Water    $50
    Phone    $50 (minimum)
Transportation
Car Payment:
    Lexus    $400
    Honda Civic    $275
    Ford Escort    $200
Used Car    $170 (monthly costs for car for repair and service costs.) Note:
if you have a used car you must also purchase at least one monthly bus pass.
Insurance:
    Package 1    $50/month/car
        $500 deductible
        No coverage for uninsured drivers
    Package 2    $85/month/car
        $250 deductible
        Uninsured driver coverage
Gas:    $80/car/month (minimum)
Bus:    $21/month
Education
Through High School:
    Public    Free
    Private:    Cathedral High School    $3,000/year
    St. John's Prep    $7,000/year for day student
        $16,000/year for boarding student
College:
    Community    $1,400/year
    State    $3,200/year
    Ivy League    $20,000/year
 
    Room and Board    add $3,000/year for State University
        add $5,000/year for Ivy League
 
 
Health Insurance
    Package 1    $150/family
    $500 one-time emergency room deductible    $20/office visit
    50% off prescriptions
    Package 2    $275/family
    No emergency room deductible
    $10/office visit
    $10 co-pay on prescriptions
    No Health Coverage    $30 per person for miscellaneous medical costs
Child Care:
Basic care (no activities or educational programs):    $5/hour
Extended care (activities and educational programs):    $10/hour
Miscellaneous Personal and Household Expenses    $81.25 per person
Includes everything from toothpaste to household repairs.
State Sales Taxes    $25.00 per person
 
Other Costs You May Incur:
 
Live-in nurse:    $300/week
Physician (office visit only)    $75
X-rays and other tests    $300 per x-ray/test
Hospital stay    $300/day
Braces    $1,500
Car Repairs    $150
Plumber    $100/hour (3hour minimum)
Hotel    $75/night
Motel    $35/night
Dining out (fancy)    $20/person
Dining out (McDonald's)    $5/person
****************************************************************************
Tracy E. Ore
 
Assistant Professor
Department of Human Relations
   & Multicultural Education
Saint Cloud State University
B118 Education Building
720 Fourth Avenue South
Saint Cloud, Minnesota   56301-4498
 
320.654.5570 (O)
320.255.0774 (H)
 
tore    AT    stcloudstate.edu
 
MBLGTCC 2000
February 18-20, 2000
Saint Cloud, Minnesota
http://mblgtcc.stcloudstate.edu
 
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