--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Children in working-class communities…" description: "\"Children in working-class communities - like the one I grew up in - face higher rates of asthma and respiratory issues, which have a direct impact on t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/alex-padilla-5898_ability_children-in-working-class-communities-li_1096591.jpg" --- # Children in working-class communities - like the one I… ![“Children in working-class communities - like the one I grew up in - face higher rates of asthma and respiratory issues, which have a direct impact on their ability to learn.” quote by Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/alex-padilla-5898_ability_children-in-working-class-communities-li_1096591.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/alex-padilla-5898_ability_children-in-working-class-communities-li_1096591.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/alex-padilla-5898_ability_children-in-working-class-communities-li_1096591.jpg) > “Children in working-class communities - like the one I grew up in - face higher rates of asthma and respiratory issues, which have a direct impact on their ability to learn.” [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Environmental inequality harms children’s health and learning, especially in low‑income areas. **In simple terms:** Pollution hurts kids’ health and education. Key Takeaway Address environmental justice to improve outcomes. Themes environment health education inequality Mood urgent concerned Type advocacy informative When to use this quote - school ventilation - urban planning - legislation - community health programs Key Concepts public health social determinants policy reform Questions to Reflect On - What policies best reduce asthma in schools? - How can communities advocate for cleaner air? A Different Perspective Policy change can be slow and contested. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Ability To Learn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability-to-learn/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Impact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impact/) [Working class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-class/) ## Related quotes > [Working class communities, like the one I grew up in, have long felt the disproportionate and cumulative impacts of pollution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/working-class-communities-like-the-one-i-grew-up-in-have-long-felt/) [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) > [What I see is that the Democratic Party takes working class communities for granted, they take people of color for granted, and they just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandria-ocasio-cortez/what-i-see-is-that-the-democratic-party-takes-working-class/) [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandria-ocasio-cortez/) > [When you talk to people in working class communities about men, the women aren't telling you that their guys are looking desperately for work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-murray/when-you-talk-to-people-in-working-class-communities-about-men-the/) [Charles Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-murray/) > [I think in all small towns, all kind of working class communities around the world. They are kind of similar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sacha-baron-cohen/i-think-in-all-small-towns-all-kind-of-working-class-communities/) [Sacha Baron Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sacha-baron-cohen/) > [The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say, 'The children are now working as if I did not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/the-greatest-sign-of-success-for-a-teacher-is-to-be-able-to-say-the/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [The children are now working as if I did not exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/the-children-are-now-working-as-if-i-did-not-exist/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [My mother, oddly enough, really wanted to pursue a career in law, but at the time, she had children and was working as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-guilfoyle/my-mother-oddly-enough-really-wanted-to-pursue-a-career-in-law-but-at/) [Kimberly Guilfoyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-guilfoyle/) > [I'm a mother, so I'm focused on my children and am working on a few projects I have in the making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacey-dash/i-m-a-mother-so-i-m-focused-on-my-children-and-am-working-on-a-few/) [Stacey Dash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacey-dash/) > [There are children who are working in textile businesses in Asia who would be prostitutes on the streets if they did not have those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-summers/there-are-children-who-are-working-in-textile-businesses-in-asia-who/) [Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-summers/) > [Retired public service workers make up the backbone of the middle class in so many of our communities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lori-lightfoot/retired-public-service-workers-make-up-the-backbone-of-the-middle/) [Lori Lightfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lori-lightfoot/) > [“World class communities come in all shapes and sizes, they are not determined by geography, and/or natural resources so much as by the mindset…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-allen-holbrook/world-class-communities-come-in-all-shapes-and-sizes-they-are-not/) Don Allen Holbrook > [The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an incredible toll on our country. Every state has been impacted. Every community has suffered. Especially working-class communities of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-taken-an-incredible-toll-on-our-country/) [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) > [ “Human beings, who are almost unique \[among animals\] in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-berkun/human-beings-who-are-almost-unique-among-animals-in-having-the/) [Scott Berkun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-berkun/) > [“What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the “real world”? What advice should they ignore? Nobody really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-ferriss/what-advice-would-you-give-to-a-smart-driven-college-student-about-to/) [Timothy Ferriss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-ferriss/) > [“Our schools will not improve if we continue to focus only on reading and mathematics while ignoring the other studies that are essential elements…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/our-schools-will-not-improve-if-we-continue-to-focus-only-on-reading/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) ## More by Alex Padilla > [Your zip code or your income level should not dictate your access to healthy drinking water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/your-zip-code-or-your-income-level-should-not-dictate-your-access-to/) [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) > [Now, California is a big state, we're a very diverse state, full of diverse communities with local variations in the cost of living and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/now-california-is-a-big-state-we-re-a-very-diverse-state-full-of/) [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) > [Transportation is responsible for half of our state's air pollution, and many suffer as a result. Children are more likely to develop respiratory illnesses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/transportation-is-responsible-for-half-of-our-state-s-air-pollution/) [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) > [There's no question about it: the climate crisis is happening now and we need bold action to address it - and that includes investing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/there-s-no-question-about-it-the-climate-crisis-is-happening-now-and/) [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) > [Throughout his upbringing and time as a public servant, Xavier Becerra has shown his passion for people and his commitment to improving the lives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/throughout-his-upbringing-and-time-as-a-public-servant-xavier-becerra/) [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) > [Day in and day out, immigrants have put their own health and their families' health on the line to keep America running.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/day-in-and-day-out-immigrants-have-put-their-own-health-and-their/) [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) > [We need to, in my opinion, to restore the full strength of the federal Voting Rights Act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/we-need-to-in-my-opinion-to-restore-the-full-strength-of-the-federal/) [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) > [Having served as California's top elections official, I've been fighting back against Trump's 'Big Lie' and conspiracy theories about the integrity of our elections…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/having-served-as-california-s-top-elections-official-i-ve-been/) [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) > [As the proud son of immigrants from Mexico, I watched my parents work resiliently hard for 40 years, my father as a cook and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/as-the-proud-son-of-immigrants-from-mexico-i-watched-my-parents-work/) [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) > [I'll continue working to ensure that everyone - regardless of their background - is treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/i-ll-continue-working-to-ensure-that-everyone-regardless-of-their/) [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) > [The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an incredible toll on our country. Every state has been impacted. Every community has suffered. Especially working-class communities of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-taken-an-incredible-toll-on-our-country/) [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) > [Domestic violent extremism is not a threat limited to any single law enforcement agency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/domestic-violent-extremism-is-not-a-threat-limited-to-any-single-law/) [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) > [As California's former chief elections officer, I was proud to strengthen election security and boost voter turnout by implementing the critical reforms contained in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/as-california-s-former-chief-elections-officer-i-was-proud-to/) [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) > [Our neighborhood had more than its share of challenges, from poverty to crime to unhealthy air. It may not have been the safest neighborhood,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/our-neighborhood-had-more-than-its-share-of-challenges-from-poverty/) [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) > [Throughout his career, Xavier Becerra has always fought to improve the lives of his constituents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/throughout-his-career-xavier-becerra-has-always-fought-to-improve-the/) [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) [Explore all 100 Alex Padilla quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Children in working-class communities - like the one I grew up in - face higher rates of asthma and respiratory issues, which have a direct impact on their ability to learn.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alex Padilla" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/children-in-working-class-communities-like-the-one-i-grew-up-in-face/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/children-in-working-class-communities-like-the-one-i-grew-up-in-face/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/alex-padilla-5898_ability_children-in-working-class-communities-li_1096591.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/alex-padilla-5898_ability_children-in-working-class-communities-li_1096591.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/alex-padilla-5898_ability_children-in-working-class-communities-li_1096591.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Children in working-class communities - like the one I grew up in - face higher rates of asthma and…” — Alex Padilla", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alex Padilla", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Children in working-class communities - like...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/children-in-working-class-communities-like-the-one-i-grew-up-in-face/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/children-in-working-class-communities-like-the-one-i-grew-up-in-face/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```