They aren't wise enough or consistant enough in all the choices they make to survive. In short, they are at-risk of failing. Part of the reason why they are at-risk of failing is they are so poorly informed in the world of wise choices, the sort of choices we would make for ourselves to succeed in today's society. They may fly the entire family back to Puerto Rico or Mexico or El Salvador for the holidays but be on food stamps and free lunch. Study, research, observation, discussion leads to knowledge.
Parents are the natural teachers.
But what if no one has taught these parents but the parents of these parents, then ignorance perpetuates itself. Any and all of us in the profession of education who really want the challenge. I've been at it for some 34 years now. Every day is brand new. Every day I learn something new.