Two is Better Than One

     A single parent headed household is much likelier to be mired in poverty (Wilson 90). Also a two parent family has two individuals who can hold jobs. Two individuals who can provide private social control. It certainly seems that a two parent household is helpful, but is it necessary for a family to be successful? What makes neighborhoods more likely to have a higher percentage of single headed households is the subject of great debate. Joblessness certainly seems like it could be one explanation. After all certain areas are structured so that they have the luxury of having more businesses. These businesses require workers which allow individuals to gain employment. One explanation the book makes which may partially be true is male unemployment. Underprivileged areas, where jobs are scarce, are often predominantly African-American. In these neighborhoods males are often unemployed,

causing themselves to be a a less attractive option for marrying. This causes the women in these underprivileged neighborhoods to delay choosing a marriage partner. This results in a higher percentage of out-of-wedlock births. Wilson goes on to inform the reader that “ 41 percent increase in the number of black children growing up in fatherless families” (Wilson 90). Certainly there is some weight behind this theory.

     However I would counter and say that underprivileged neighborhoods have high percentages of criminal activity when compared with privileged neighborhoods (Wilson 23). I'd say that in addition to male joblessness, high incarceration rates lead to many families being led by a single parent, often the mother. This absence of a parent leads to heavy strain on the single parent. Finances fall onto the single parent, before it fell on both parents. So the single parent either must work longer hours or else have a lower income. If the single parent works longer hours he or she cannot spend as much time with the child. So, if the parent doesn't spend as much time with the child private social control is lost. Also, the single parent has less time to spend on community events, such as providing muffins for a church bake sale. This loss in social control at both the neighborhood, as well as private level does the neighborhood no favors. This helps underprivileged neighborhoods to continue their downward spiral.

     So, which leads to the deterioration of the black family more? Male joblessness or incarceration of a parent?

Both are detrimental to the neighborhood. And it does seem that joblessness would increase incarceration rates. But being jobless does not cause incarceration. If male joblessness caused incarceration it seems that the best form of action would be forcing all males to acquire jobs. Of course this is problematic. So the solution to what ails underprivileged neighborhoods is very difficult.

     The government could implement programs to give incentives to companies who open factories in impoverished neighborhoods. But I think the factory would result in gentrification. So, perhaps the neighborhood would improve immediately, but over time the residents would likely have to move to a less developed community because of high priced housing prices. But this factory likely wouldn't completely solve the problem.

     Is the problem racism?

Massey and Denton seem to think so. Social isolation of these largely African-American neighborhoods is a major concern. Massey and Denton contend that this social isolation was a conscious decision made by whites. They continue to state that one key factor of why African-Americans are more likely to live in impoverished areas is because of housing discrimination. They contend that if segregation was ended impoverished neighborhoods would improve (Massey and Denton 7). To me, this doesn't seem completely true. Sure, there are racist people out there, but it seems that larger factors effect. I would argue that single parent households, due to incarceration of a parent, play a bigger role in neighborhoods than segregation. Single parent households due to the incarceration of a parent cause such economical as well as social strain on not only the family but the neighborhood as a whole.

     Of course there is no perfect explanation for why African-Americans are more prone to live in impoverished neighborhoods. Surely a multitude of explanations are needed in order to gain a fuller understanding. Having said that, neighborhoods with single parent families often are much more impoverished and prone to criminal activity than neighborhoods with dual parents.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW3RspM7v9M

http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/prison2home02/parke-stewart.htm