Culture deprivation

A lack of social, cultural and educational training necessary to participate successfully in society at large. In the United States, culture deprivation is associated with poverty, family break-up, poor health and hygiene, lack of English language skills, substandard housing and life in neighborhoods with high rates of crime, drug and alcohol abuse and other antisocial behavior. Since 1964, the federal government has sponsored a wide variety of COMPENSATORY EDUCATION programs aimed at easing cultural deprivation in the United States. (See also ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 1964; HEAD START.)