Free Essay

Neighborhood Comparison of the Upper and Poor Class

In:

Submitted By castledine
Words 1335
Pages 6
Neighborhood Comparison of the Upper and Poor Class
Introduction
Income, race, ethnicity, religion and culture all have profound impacts on neighborhoods. Some impacts consist of area appearance, transportation options, friendliness, safety options, and lack of resources. This week I visited a poor and upper class neighborhood at two different hours of the day. The first day I visit the poor class neighborhood call Lincoln Heights in Monroe Louisiana at 8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. The second day I visited a Rich class neighborhood called Lakewood at the same times. The differences between the upper and poor class were astonishing. This paper will describe the differences and similarities between the upper and poor class neighborhood, what distinguishes the wealthy neighborhood from the poor neighborhood, what caused me to believe one was wealthier than the other, and how culture and religion impact the neighborhoods.
Differences and Similarities When visiting Lincoln Heights at 8:00 A.M. I noticed that everyone was heading to their jobs. The transportation was very different from those of Lakewood. In Lincoln heights people were riding bicycles, driving older models vehicles, while others were walking to a bus location 2 miles from their neighborhood. During my assessment, I noticed that there was much diversity throughout the poor neighborhood. There were Caucasians, African Americans and Mexican Americans and all seemed to be greeting each other as they were passing. The safety conditions lacks greatly. There were no sidewalks for the cyclists and pedestrians. The only way out of the neighborhood was to walk directly on the road. I then took notice of the area appearance. Some buildings and houses looked unsafe, yards weren’t mowed and cluttered with objects, and trash had been thrown in certain locations. I left and came back at 7:00 P.M. I noticed that there were a lot of men outside drinking alcoholic beverages and becoming very loud. I was their 2 hours when a fight in the neighborhood began and the police were called. I also discovered that there wasn’t a neighborhood watch person. The next day I went to visit Lakewood at 8:00 in the morning and was amazed at how beautiful the houses were. The houses were all two story houses that looked very sturdy and safe. Residents looked as if they all owned newer model vehicles, there were sidewalks on both sides of the road, yards were all mowed, and there were no trash visible. However, Lakewood lacked diversity drastically. The only racial category I noticed was Caucasian Americans. I never saw one African American or Mexican American. This was very shocking to me, to find no diversity watch so ever in a community. I left and came back at 7:00 to discover no human movement other then children playing in yards and people walking to their mail boxes. By 8:00 P.M. I noticed a neighborhood watch person patrolling the area. My research when visiting these places suggested to me that lack of income causes the most impact in differences between the poor and rich neighborhoods.
Distinguishing the Wealthy From the Poor Neighborhood The safe conditions, obvious high income and transportation distinguished the wealthy from the poor neighborhood. When visiting the Lincoln Heights everyone was driving older model cars, walking to bus stations, and riding bicycles. In Lakewood, everyone seemed to have an automobile that was a seemingly newer model. Lincoln Heights safety conditions were very poor. There were no sidewalks for people, houses looked in terrible condition, there was no neighborhood watch person, and the police were called to the neighborhood because of a fist fight. The safety conditions in Lakewood were up to date. There were sidewalks on each side of the road, and a neighborhood watch person. There appearance was clean, yards mowed and no trash to speak of while Lincoln Heights had trash in many areas of the neighborhood.
Why I Believed One Neighborhood was Wealthier Then the Other I believed Lincoln Heights was poor because of the high crime rates in the areas and the obvious law income. A study by the Christian Association for Prison Aftercare suggests that there is direct correlation poverty and crime (Williams, 2007). People who are poor are more likely to commit crimes of theft, and burglary (Williams, 2007). “Research suggests that people who commit crimes will only commit them if the consequences are outweighed by the benefit of the gain (Schmalleger, 2011).” When someone is poor, they may feel that the potential gain will outweigh the consequences such as getting food on the table, and paying rent. I also believed it to be poor because of the appearance. Through my experiences, I have noticed then when people have low income, they can’t afford most resources to keep area appearance up such as lawn mowers and weed eaters. They also can’t afford to maintain safe conditions and good appearance of their homes.
How Culture and Religion Impacted the Neighborhoods When I was visiting Lincoln Heights and Lakewood, I was unable to determine what religions the residents chose. I don’t believe that culture and religion impacted Lincoln Heights and Lakewood would at all. I believe that income played the only impact in these two communities. In order to understand how religion impacts the community, one would have to speak with several different people from the communities to learn of the many different religions practiced in the communities. The religions people practice in the community could impact how people treat each other in a community. Some religions influence prejudice and cause discrimination against racial categories and sexual orientation. “The Christian religion promotes nonjudgmental character. However, in contradiction to that belief, it also motivates prejudices against same sex relationships (American Baptist Association, 2012)”. Religion can play an important role in how you treat people. Treating people with hate in a community can only cause conflict. “Culture is the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic or age group (Schaefer, 2012).” This could impact neighborhoods in a profound way as well. Incorporating certain behaviors and beliefs in a certain neighborhood could cause conflict because of the diverse culture and one culture would go against another. “For example, The Amish community dedicates their lives to religion and their ways are also part of a culture. Most Amish communities refuse to use electronic devices while other cultures do. Some Amish communities even refuse to use automobiles (Hostetle, 1993).” Culture affects the ways of life in a community. However, Lincoln Heights and Lakewood seemed to be strictly affected by income and was divided by diversity.
Conclusion
As mentioned income, race, ethnicity, religion and culture all have an impact on communities. However Lakewood and Lincoln Heights were only impacted by Income. The poor conditions, area appearance, unsafe condition, unsafe homes, and crime rates were a big indicator of being a poor neighborhood. Transportation was a problem for Lincoln Heights because the residents were walking, riding a bike or driving older model automobiles. Lakewood was a beautiful area with safe conditions, sidewalks, neighborhood watch. Transportation wasn’t a problem because all residents seemed to have vehicles. The lack of diversity in Lakewood was astonishing because it seemed to only reside Caucasians while Lincoln heights resided a several different racial categories. These two neighborhoods were divided strictly by money and diversity. Religions went unnoticed and both seemed to implement the culture of today’s society. High crime rates and area appearance lead me to believe that Lincoln Heights was a poor neighborhood. Research suggests that poor commit more law violations and also when an area is poor people tend to lack the resources to keep area appearance up. Lakewood lead me to believe that it was a rich neighborhood because of the expensive homes, safe conditions, area appearance and new automobiles. Culture went unnoticed to me in both neighborhoods because they both reflected on today’s culture in society. After researching these two neighborhoods, I realize exactly how important it is to the success of a community.

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Urbanization

...newcomers • Some local economic activity(forced out either by rising rents or shifting sensibilities • Industrial activities that employ local workers(viewed as a nuisance or environmental hazard • Local shops may lose their leases under pressure from posh boutiques and restaurants • Physical changes(older buildings are rehabilitated and new construction occurs • Public improvement to streets, parks, and infrastructure(new arrivals often push hard to improve the district aesthetically(codify new standards through design guidelines, historic preservation legislation, and the use of blight and nuisance laws • The social, economic, and physical impacts of gentrification(serious political conflict(exacerbated by differences in race, class, and culture • Earlier residents may feel embattled, ignored, and excluded from their own communities • New arrivals are often mystified by accusations that their efforts to improve local conditions are perceived as hostile or even racist • Low-income people are rarely the winners b) Compare and account for the different landuse zone in EMDCs and ELDCs [16m] Commercial zone/CBD • Retailing, office, service, commerce(together with government, public, church, education • Major retail(biggest threshold population • Highest human and motor...

Words: 1484 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Saints And The Roughnecks Analysis

...In William J. Chambliss’ “Saints and the Roughnecks” there is a comparison between two groups of white boys in the same town from the same high school that have one major distinction of different socioeconomic statuses. The Saints are a group that comes from the richer members of the town, do well in school, and get themselves out of getting in trouble because their social status makes all of their deviant behavior appear harmless. While on the other hand the Roughnecks come from poor families and do the same amount of deviant behavior but are more visible to the schools, police, and the community overall. This piece was written in 1996 and has been an important part of discussing social class and its effect on the perception of juveniles....

Words: 340 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Overspent American

...In 1996 a best-selling book entitled The Millionaire Next Door caused a minor sensation. In contrast to the popular perception of millionaire lifestyles, this book reveals that most millionaires live frugal lives--buying used cars, purchasing their suits at JC Penney, and shopping for bargains. These very wealthy people feel no need to let the world know they can afford to live much better than their neighbors. Millions of other Americans, on the other hand, have a different relationship with spending. What they acquire and own is tightly bound to their personal identity. Driving a certain type of car, wearing particular designer labels, living in a certain kind of home, and ordering the right bottle of wine create and support a particular image of themselves to present to the world. This is not to say that most Americans make consumer purchases solely to fool others about who they really are. It is not to say that we are a nation of crass status-seekers. Or that people who purchase more than they need are simply demonstrating a base materialism, in the sense of valuing material possessions above all else. But it is to say that, unlike the millionaires next door, who are not driven to use their wealth to create an attractive image of themselves, many of us are continually comparing our own lifestyle and possessions to those of a select group of people we respect and want to be like, people whose sense of what's important in life seems close to our own. ...

Words: 7492 - Pages: 30

Premium Essay

Effects of Poverty

...effects of poverty The effects of poverty are serious. Children who grow up in poverty suffer more persistent, frequent, and severe health problems than do children who grow up under better financial circumstances. * Many infants born into poverty have a low birth weight, which is associated with many preventable mental and physical disabilities. Not only are these poor infants more likely to be irritable or sickly, they are also more likely to die before their first birthday. * Children raised in poverty tend to miss school more often because of illness. These children also have a much higher rate of accidents than do other children, and they are twice as likely to have impaired vision and hearing, iron deficiency anemia, and higher than normal levels of lead in the blood, which can impair brain function. Levels of stress in the family have also been shown to correlate with economic circumstances. Studies during economic recessions indicate that job loss and subsequent poverty are associated with violence in families, including child and elder abuse. Poor families experience much more stress than middle-class families. Besides financial uncertainty, these families are more likely to be exposed to series of negative events and “bad luck,” including illness, depression, eviction, job loss, criminal victimization, and family death. Parents who experience hard economic times may become excessively punitive and erratic, issuing demands backed by insults, threats, and corporal...

Words: 6260 - Pages: 26

Premium Essay

Capitalism in Criminal Justice

...classism, to demonstrate some of the pitfalls that the system has. Though it is obvious that all of these societal differences play a large role in the criminal justice process, I will focus on classism. Classism is the discrimination against a group or individual based on social and economic status. Classism is one of those “ism’s” that occurs more than we notice and sometimes, we may confuse it with things like racism or sexism. Classism, in my opinion, plays a larger role in the criminal justice system as opposed to the other forms of discriminatory practices. In particular, class largely comes into play during the sentencing process. Many authors argue that factors outside of class play a more important role, but I believe that there needs to be more attention paid to the role that class plays in targeting and the sentencing process in the criminal justice system. In order to understand the role that class plays in the sentencing process, we must, first, look at the role that it plays before the criminal reaches the day of sentencing. There are a plethora of publications that speak on profiling and actuarial methods which get people into the system. Though these are two large proponents of the discriminatory acts that exist within the confines of the criminal justice system, it does not begin with these institutionalized methods. The first instance of discrimination, which leads to all of the other forms within the system, are the laws and crime control policies that are implemented...

Words: 4385 - Pages: 18

Premium Essay

Classism and Criminal Justice

...discrimination against a group or individual based on social and economic status. Classism is one of those “ism’s” that occurs more than we notice and sometimes, we may confuse it with things like racism or sexism. Many authors argue that factors outside of class play a more important role, but many believe that we should be more attentive to the role that class plays in targeting and the sentencing process in the criminal justice system. In order to understand the role that class plays in the sentencing process, we must, first, look at the role that it plays before the criminal reaches the day of sentencing. There are a plethora of publications that speak on profiling and actuarial methods which get people into the system. Though these are two large proponents of the discriminatory acts that exist within the confines of the criminal justice system, it does not begin with these institutionalized methods. The first instances of discrimination, which leads to all of the other forms within the system, are the laws and crime control policies that are implemented that, in some instances, are set up in favor of the rich and in opposition to the poor. In Marxist criminology, one of the fundamental principles is that the “ruling class” puts all of the other classes at a disadvantage. This is done...

Words: 4368 - Pages: 18

Free Essay

Deviant Behavior

...assault are considered simple and are also considered misdemeanors. 2.3. Similar to homicide research assaulters are more likely to be poor, to be black, to reside in large cities, commit the crime during the weekend, to live in the south, to be men and so on. 2.4. Research suggests assault is different form homicide in two ways. 2.5.1. Assaulters are less likely to use firearms for a crime. 2.5.2. During the summer season assault number rice significantly due to heat driving poor people out and a number of other factors. 2. Who is More Likely to Kill? The main striking trait about killers is that they are poor and blacks generally being poorer than whites are more likely to commit homicide. Similarly poor nations also have higher homicide rates. There are any findings like these but the book discusses them in detail further. 3.5. Class and Race Over 90 percent of murders in the United States are committed by unskilled, semiskilled and welfare recipients. Proving that poverty plays a role in homicide and besides there are several reasons for links between murder and poverty. 3.6.3. The poor are more likely to have stressful problems such as financial or marital issues and these tend to cause interpersonal conflict. 3.6.4. Violence is also the instrument that the poor use to solve conflict as violence is also considered a badge of masculinity. 3.6.5. Race although is not a factor it just seems like...

Words: 1293 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Poverty Report

...Multiple Social Science Perspectives of Poverty Theories of Poverty: Findings from Textbooks on Human Behavior and the Social Environment Amanda J. Lehning, Catherine M. Vu, & Indira Pintak Economic Theories of Poverty Sun Young Jung & Richard Smith Sociological Theories of Poverty in Urban America Jennifer Price Wolf Psychological Theories of Poverty Kelly Turner & Amanda Lehning An Anthropological View of Poverty Kristine Frerer & Catherine Vu Political Science Perspectives on Poverty Amanda Lehning Theories of Global Poverty in the Developed and Developing World Jennifer Morazes & Indira Pintak Part II Theory Integration and Practitioner Perspectives Social Capital and Neighborhood Poverty: Toward an Ecologically-Grounded Model of Neighborhood Effects Kathy Lemon Osterling Social Work Students’ Perceptions of Poverty Sherrill Clark The Explosive Nature of the Culture of Poverty: A Teaching Case Based on An Agency-based Training Program Catherine Vu & Michael J. Austin 2 Understanding Poverty From Multiple Social Science Perspectives Introduction This BASSC learning resource has its origins in both historical and contemporary attempts to address the complex social problem of poverty in the U.S. It grew out of a doctoral seminar and therefore most of the authors are current or former doctoral students at the School of Social Welfare, University of...

Words: 65096 - Pages: 261

Premium Essay

Poverty and Education

...Children however, sometimes make no attempt to acquire much knowledge, primarily because they do not realize the necessity of a proper education. Moreover, the issue of poverty prevents children from acquiring an effective education. In the literary work "The Lesson", Toni Cade Bambara describes the difficulties of growing up as poor children. She goes on to point out the power of education for them. Education is empowerment for children living in poverty because it helps them to understand the disadvantages of their poor life in comparison to the rich and shows that effective knowledge is the way to overcome poverty. Additionally, a proper education can inspire children to strive even harder for their success. In “The Lesson”, the author reveals to the reader the disadvantages of poverty in relationship to wealth through Ms. Moore's lesson. Ms. Moore chooses to take a group of children to the luxury FAO Schwarz toy store in order to show them the difference between rich and poor lives. She knows that the trip is only a chance to let children see another side of life in the same city and helps them realize the disadvantages of their poor life. Through the narration of Silvia, a leader of the group, a reader can imagine the low quality of the children’s lives. At the beginning of the trip Moore talks to the children about the value of money. She discusses the amount of money their parents make, and how much their lifestyle requires to spend: “So we heading down the...

Words: 1624 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

The African American Male and the Justice System

...Crime statistics and incarceration rates reveal that young African American men are prosecuted and imprisoned at higher rates than their Non-Hispanic White counterparts. Although the total number of incarcerations by race does not vary significantly, the age of prisoners by race is meaningful. In December 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice statistics for sentenced male prisoners under state and federal jurisdiction totaled 1,537,415. Broken down by race, African American lacks totaled 555,300 prisoners with Whites totaling 465,100 and Hispanics 331,500. As the assignment scenario noted, in 2003 there was disparity between the incarceration rates for males aged 25-29 among races. As of 2011, rates for the same age group do not show as wide of a gap. In 2011, White males ages 25 to 29 comprised 14.4 percent of incarcerated males compared to 16.5 percent African American lacks and 18.8 percent Hispanics. The statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice for 2011 show that, “More than half (52%) of white male prisoners were age 39 or younger, compared to 63% of black and 68% of Hispanic male prisoners.” There remains disparity when age is factored into the incarceration rates with eleven percent more Blacks and sixteen percent more Hispanics incarcerated than Whites for those 39 and younger. In addition, one must consider that African Americans have higher rates of arrest, conviction, and incarceration when they total a minority number in the population. When evaluating...

Words: 3535 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

A Woman of Standards

...character of men and women would likewise indicate how their education ought to be in a natural balance against each other, specializing in different but similar actions (Rousseau 256). To better reinforce his theory, Rousseau challenges mothers to “try to educate them [their daughters] like men. They will be quite willing. But the more they resemble men the less will be their power over men, and the greater their own subjection” (256). The more womanly a female is, the better off she will be. If she retains her proper role, she can only gain from it but anything outside her sphere of influence will ultimately result in failure. To put it simply, a woman should not find herself in a man’s position. These social roles commonly upheld by the upper class resist any influences to change. Due to the nature of her gender while she is allowed to undertake the same tasks as her male counterpart, any attempt in doing so will result in...

Words: 1664 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Black Middle-Class In Chicago Analysis

...I quote Mary Pattillo to draw attention to the word assumptions and her point about the Black middle-class moving from all Black urbanized neighborhoods into the suburbs, which is of particular importance in exploring the post-1970 Black middle-class in Chicago. Socioeconomic ascension into the American gilded classes—the middle-class and the upper-class—was supposed to include spatial mobility for Black people in the post-civil rights era reflecting racial progress, a changing society, equal access, first class citizenship, economic stability, and the notion that the “hardest working” of the Black population “finally got their piece of the pie,” thus representing how far Black Americans had come. Many Black families in Chicago transitioned...

Words: 861 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Victimology

...currently unemployed may resort to stealing in order to survive. He may steal food for nutrition, clothing for warmth, and money for personal pleasure. The criminal behavior in which he took part in gave him instant pleasure and comfort. In this case the immediate effects outweigh the consequences of the crime. It was the best thing the though he could do to guarantee his survival. The rich on the other hand may not need to resort to these measures to fulfill their so-called " American Dream" because it is a reality. This shows how the lower-class system may make the poor more prone and vulnerable to crime. It is highly apparent that certain societies and social groups are faced with situations that may prove to be conducive elements towards crime. Gangs and crime are bred in large cities. People who have a tendency to get in trouble may easily be dragged into the world of crime. The second focus of sociology and crime is the lower class value system and its relationship to gangs. Gangs hold their own standards of right vs. wrong. They believe their acts are normal and usual but others see it as breaking the law. Gangs do indeed engage in illegal activities such as drugs and the selling of stolen goods. Gangs...

Words: 2380 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Is Crime Based on an Individual’s Socio-Economic Status?

...Is Crime Based on an Individual’s Socio-Economic Status? Kevin Dash Dr. Allan Conkey, Research Methods: CMRJ505 September 29, 2013   TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract 3 Introduction 4 Literature Review 6 Hypothesis/Problem Statement 8 Research Design/Methodology 8 Definitions 14 References 15   Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to determine if someone’s social / economic status will increase the likely-hood they will commit crimes. The research conducted will not only focus on low-income individuals, but mid-range and higher-income individuals as well. The importance of this topic can better assist communities and their local government with the increase in prevention of crime in the long-run.   Introduction: Over the years there have been numerous studies conducted showing that crimes are more prevalent in communities where the resident’s socio-economic status is lower than other parts of the same community. People who do not make much money or do not have high paying jobs, are more likely to find a source of income elsewhere, majority of the time that source is an illegal one. Thefts, robbery, armed robbery, dealing illegal drugs, are all common types of crimes that are committed in order for an individual to gain more wealth. With these types of crimes, the use of a weapon – most commonly a gun – is used to enact the most fear in the victim and make...

Words: 4158 - Pages: 17

Premium Essay

Homosexuality In James Baldwin's Essay 'Here Be Dragons'

...world and instead south silent comfort in those questioning their sexuality around them. A new “gay culture” was being fashioned which had a profound impact on the social situations gay men put themselves in. Donald was making reference to how there were many young and attractive gay couples in this tavern and that they were able to socialize with whom they wanted to. The gay community was wide enough that distinctions could be made between them, such as by class or race. The gay community now had choices. Geographically, gay men began to segregate by racial and class lines. Manhattan, a suburb of New York City has large subdivisions existing inside of it from the higher class Upper East Side to the more impoverished Harlem neighborhood. Baldwin in his account was able to provide a comparison from his time in Harlem to his time in Greenwich Village. Harlem, he described was “the black world-my turf-).which means I felt protected” (Baldwin 680). Harlem was a “black” neighborhood though Baldwin does acknowledge the presence of poor white people that lived in the area. Harlem’s gay scene was quite reflective of this notion, hosting a majority black population and blacks in other sections of New York often had trouble assimilating into the gay scene. Baldwin notes the difference he felt when he went to Greenwich Village:“there were only about three of us (black people)” (Baldwin 684). Greenwich Village was in effect stratified in a way wherein there was a large white population but ethnic...

Words: 1460 - Pages: 6