Multigenerational Neighborhoods and Poverty
Author: Khushi Parikh
AP Photo/Patrick Semansk
Multigenerational poverty amongst communities and neighborhoods in the United States is a pressing issue in the fight against inequality. Many neighborhoods across the nation are shaped by pervasive economic inequality spanning multiple generations. Studies show that an individual's economic fate is increasingly influenced by family background and where they grew up. Scholars and policymakers weigh these incredibly complex connections to understand how these dynamics perpetuate generational inequality. Historically, trends in racial inequality have fluctuated. In the 1960s, civil rights legislation was passed, and the black middle class emerged. However, in the 1970s, all the progress towards racial equality came to a halt. To understand this, sociologists sought to focus on educational attainment and the environments surrounding these individuals, and what type of neighborhoods they live in.
A study conducted by the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality focuses on where families have lived over time. It uncovered that poverty has not become more concentrated over time. However, it is the same families living in poverty for decades. The conclusion being that the racial inequality we see today is a continuation of inequality passed down from generations. This same study further shows that half of the black families have lived in the poorest quarter of neighborhoods for consecutive generations, with only 7 percent of white families living in poor neighborhoods over multiple generations. Additionally, research confirms a strong link between neighborhoods and children's cognitive ability. If children go to low-quality schools, the parent has likely experienced the same. A test of cognitive ability was carried out, predictive of how well these children will do in life on many different levels, such as academic achievement, employment, and health. Results emphasize that families exposed to neighborhood poverty over consecutive generations score below average on a cognitive ability test. On the scale, these children score 8-9 below the national average, amounting to about 3-4 years of schooling. Additional studies stress that a mother’s parenting stress and exposure to adverse childhood experiences directly impact adolescent behavior and social skills. Due to such data, early intervention for high-risk children and programs to build community resilience is emphasized.
Another study highlights the social characteristics of poor neighborhoods. Researchers traveled door to door in Chicago, questioning civilians about their lives, interactions, and relationships with others in the community. This questioning was conducted to better understand the dynamics of how neighborhoods change from the perspective of residents themselves. Further, this study called for filming the streets of Chicago in low-income neighborhoods. Recordings show characteristics of the area falling under disorder-an indication the neighborhood is in disarray. The neighborhood conditions attract offenders, incentivize crime, and are a symptom of a more significant social problem. However, this study finds that collective efficacy, the trust neighbors have in each other, varies greatly, and provides a buffer that leads to lower delinquency rates. The social fabric is highly impactful, so it is critical to target the neighborhoods in trouble in terms of social infrastructure.
Finding clarity in terms of patterns of racial inequality becomes efficient when understanding multigenerational perspectives on neighborhood inequality. Racial inequality is persistent because of neighborhoods' lingering impacts on one generation to the next. Solutions can be made by adjusting current policies, like the recent changes on The Child Tax Credit. The policy change, which makes the credit fully refundable and available monthly, helped relieve some of the financial burdens faced by low-income families with children amid the pandemic. This policy could allow these parents to improve their intergenerational mobility by taking advantage of opportunities for advancement. Further, more comprehensive policy solutions are needed due to the complexity of this pervasive issue. Establishing durable urban policies that can reach multiple generations is necessary to produce adequate changes in families' lives.
To learn more about Multigenerational Effects of Poverty and Inequality, visit https://inequality.stanford.edu/
