Update again to why people may be poor:
According to John Iceland, "Where one lives affects the opportunities one has and the type of living one earns" (51). The book also talks about how spatially isolated rural areas are and how there is inadequate physical infrastructure.
The "Do Neighborhoods Matter" video reinstates that theory. George Galster speaks about how the neighbors, the public school system, and the children who the child may play with also plays a very important role in an individuals life. I agree with the video and believe that environment can have a major impact. I have always heard about the South always being the poorest region in the U.S. and that metropolitan areas are poor ares as well. Therefore, some people in a sense may be doomed from the start just by where they grew up.
Update to what I think is being done:
Well, I still think that not much is being done by the government and that they are unwilling to make certain changes. However, from watching the video, I think there are some changes in the works. Galster's theory about trying to achieve a society with concentrations of poverty below 10% seems to be a good idea. There are all these stereotypical thoughts that go along with the idea of poor people moving into an area. If this theory does help ease some of the tension and helps neighbors feel safe, then that makes a lot of sense to me. Also, having requirements on new developments and standards for housing is a smart choice as well. Clearly, as I have been saying, more needs to be done.
Thanks for the comment!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you about how children can be doomed just by their environment. It is sad to think that some poor families have a continuous cycle of being poor due to the fact that it is all the children know. The government should help with proper zoning and disperse poor neighborhoods. Crime rates will most likely go down which is always a major plus!
You're very welcome..thanks for commenting back!
ReplyDeleteAs far as crime rates go, anything that can lower the rates is always a HUGE plus!!!
I also agree with the idea that children are doomed because of their environment, but I think that Galster made some valid points. If a neighorhood has only 10% poverty it will give every child a chance to succeed. I aslo feel that this would change some of the precceptions that we have of races of people that we don't know or understand.
ReplyDeleteYou made some great points!!