An exploration of teens’ perspectives of poverty through photovoice: Implications for counselors

Abstract

Researchers explored teens’ perspectives of poverty in their environments through a qualitative participatory action research method called photovoice. Six themes emerged from the data reflecting teens’ experiences with poverty: (1) materialistic world and discrepancies, (2) ability to care for self and others, (3) racism and discrimination, (4) vandalism and abandonment, (5) community responses, both helpful and not helpful, and (6) ignoring issues and lack of awareness. The authors address implications of these findings for counselors.