Life in Ghettos
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Introduction
The term ghetto is usually used to describe slum quarters of cities occupied by members of minority communities such as Jews and African Americans. Ghettos are characterized by a dense population, sparse and low-class members of the community. Daily lives of people living in slums are affected by street crime, hard drugs, welfare dependency, and high rates of teen pregnancy (Davis, 2006). In the 19th century, the term ghetto was widely used to describe Jews who were compelled to live in isolated areas or quarters (Duneier, 2016). In this instance, Jews were minority groups who experienced discrimination from other people in the community (Gottdeiner and Hutchison, 2015). However, later, other minority groups, such as African Americans and Latinos, were segregated in slums (Davis, 2006). Some of the old ghettos in Europe include Budapest, Frankfort, Venice, and Rome where Jews lived. People living within the walls of ghettos often experience economic marginalization and exploitation (Duneier, 2016). Besides, they live in impoverished neighborhoods that lack critical amenities. Although ethnic minorities occupy the majority of ghettos, it does not mean that all areas where minorities live are ghettos. In this case, ghettos are usually identified by the high rates of poverty in the neighborhoods, 2016). Most people living in ghettos find it had to out-migrate to other areas because of poverty. This essay will focus on analyzing the forces that affect the lives of people residing in ghettos and how their activities impact their lives.
Firstly, life in ghettos is influenced by cultural, economic, and political forces that determine the standard of living. In the United States, people living in ghettos are usually unemployed and underemployed (Gottdeiner and Hutchison, 2015). Besides, residents are often excluded from formal jobs, exploited by landlords, and oppressed by white policemen. Therefore, black communities in ghettos are primarily poor due to systematic marginalization (Gottdeiner and Hutchison, 2015). The government has also failed to provide equal economic opportunities to people living in ghettos (Duneier, 2016). To make ends meet residents in such areas depend on welfare which does not sustain their lives. Minority groups living in segregated areas are usually characterized by poor health due to poor health services. In this instance, the state often discriminates against them when providing services to its people (Gottdeiner and Hutchison, 2015). The other major factor that contributes to the poor living standards in ghetto areas is that minority groups are usually used to provide cheap labor (Duneier, 2016). The upper-class and middle-class members of the society rely heavily on the competitive workforce provided by minority groups. Next, residents in ghetto neighborhoods pay higher rents than other areas in the United States. The landlord in such regions colludes to set high rates of housing above the market prices. Therefore, while residents in slums are underemployed or unemployed, the little income they earn is usually used to pay rent.
Over the past three decades, the economic conditions of African-Americans living in slams have drastically deteriorated. The leading cause of economic deterioration in the ghettos is the isolation and segregation from other commercial ventures in the country (Gottdeiner and Hutchison, 2015). In most urban cities, people engage in exchange and trade, which is critical in improving the standards of living of people. However, those living in the ghettos are isolated from other business due to cultural forces and their race (Duneier, 2016). However, it does not mean that ghettos engineer poverty because ghettos can also be created by debt. One of the leading cause of poverty in the ghettos is that people can’t afford to move to other areas (Duneier, 2016). Besides, slum neighborhoods lack various skills and employment opportunities located in urban communities (Gottdeiner and Hutchison, 2015). In essence, economic isolation of ghettos plays a critical role in influencing the standards of living.
Secondly, life in ghetto areas is significantly influenced by the class, race, and gender differences of the residents. Black people in American society face isolation and segregation arising from their small numbers compared to the total population. Exclusion of minority groups, including the black people is independent of their social class (Duneier, 2016). Besides, people of color living outside ghettos still face discrimination and racism. Most immigrants in the United States live together in isolation because of cultural similarities. In this instance, they prefer to stay together due to smoother communication and similar norms. Next, in most Ghettos in Europe, the population of men is lower than that of women. The population gap between men and women continues to widen due to the increase in mortality in men. Higher mortality rates in men mainly result from hard labor and poor living conditions in the ghettos (Duneier, 2016). Employment opportunities in ghettos demand physically healthy individuals, and therefore men are the most suitable. However, physically demanding tasks weaken the men reducing their life expectancy primarily due to inadequate healthcare. The government has over the years attempted to solve the problems in ghettos by ending inequality. However, racism hinders government initiatives because minority groups are often discriminated in formal jobs.
The other critical aspect that influences the lives of people living in ghettos is the limited space. Most ghettos were set in the outskirts of towns and cities with poor planning and poor structures. People living in ghettos face the problem of limited housing and limited space that requires improvisation (Duneier, 2016). Besides, ghettos are characterized by overcrowding and poor sanitation that leads to increased diseases (Gottdeiner and Hutchison, 2015). Moreover, chances of living successful lives while in ghettos are low because of the seclusion or isolation from essential resources in the country. Residents in ghettos face discrimination and exploitation from other members of the society affecting their standards of living (Davis, 2006). In this instance, while residents in ghettos follow the goals and values of the United States, they are often seen as uncivilized individuals. Ghettos are seen as a hotbed of crime, and everybody in it is seen as a criminal (Gottdeiner and Hutchison, 2015). The perception is ironical because the state is equally responsible for the hardships faced by people in the slums (Davis, 2006). Therefore, it is critical to note that the common perception that people living in slums are uncivilized is inaccurate. The government should, consequently, enact policies and programs to improve the lives of people living in ghettos.
Ultimately, People living within the walls of ghettos often experience economic marginalization and exploitation. They live in impoverished neighborhoods that lack critical amenities. Although ethnic minorities occupy the majority of ghettos, it does not mean that all areas where minorities live are ghettos (Duneier, 2016). Life in ghettos is influenced by cultural, economic, and political forces that determine the standard of living. Residents are often excluded from formal jobs and exploited by landlords, oppressed by white policemen. Therefore, black communities in ghetto areas are primarily poor due to systematic marginalization (Duneier, 2016). Next, in most urban cities, people engage in exchange and trade, which is critical in improving the standards of living of people. However, those living in the ghettos are isolated from other business due to cultural forces and their race (Gottdeiner and Hutchison, 2015). Black people in American society face isolation and segregation arising from their small numbers compared to the total population. The other critical aspect that influences the lives of people living in ghettos is the limited space. Most ghettos were set in the outskirts of towns and cities with poor planning and structures (Duneier, 2016). People living in ghettos face the problem of limited housing and limited space that requires improvisation. Ghettos are seen as a hotbed of crime, and everybody in it is seen as a criminal (Davis, 2006). The perception is ironical because the state is equally responsible for the hardships faced by people in the slums. Therefore, it is critical to note that the general impression that people living in slums are uncivilized is inaccurate. The government should, therefore, enact policies and programs to improve the lives of people living in ghettos.
References
Gottdeiner, M., and R. Hutchison, 2015. The New Urban Sociology, 5th Edition. Boulder, CO: Westview Press. Paperback ISBN: 9780813343181. (“G/H” in Course Schedule) [Available at UTEP bookstore].
Davis, Mike. 2006. Planet of Slums. New York: Verso. Paperback ISBN-13: 9781844671601. (“Slums” in course schedule) [Available at UTEP bookstore.]
Duneier, Mitchell 2016. Ghetto: The Invention of a Place, the History of an Idea. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. ISBN: 0374536775. (“Ghetto” in Course Schedule) [Available at UTEP bookstore].