What is the difference between an enclave and a ghetto? Who lives in these different types of urban communities? Does being a residence of either affect a person’s opportunities in life? In this essay, I will discuss the differing characteristics of enclaves and ghettos by using examples to show how the residents of these areas are affected, as well as the development of “hyperghettos” and the role of gentrification in their development.
An enclave is defined, “as communities where a high percentage of members of the same group, often of the same cultural and ethnic background, voluntarily reside” (Hutter, 294). The neighborhoods within an enclave are usually comprised of various cultural and racial groups. The people living within an urban …show more content…
According to sociologists Douglas S. Massey and Nancy A. Denton, a ghetto is “a set of neighborhoods that are exclusively inhabited by members of one group, within which virtually all members of that group live” (Hutter, 294). The term ghetto originates from the Italian language and was typically used to describe neighborhoods of Jewish immigrants that were isolated due to the law and naturally by tradition. According to the Chicago School, people live in the ghetto model as either a voluntary action or due to coercive actions. Although this ideal seems legitimate and fair in some aspects, the Chicago School did not account for the many African Americans whom were forced into inner-city ghettos through …show more content…
An example of an ethnic enclave would be areas called “Little Italy,” or “Jewtowns.” Each of these enclaves “reflected its distinctive ethnic flavor with its own church or synagogue, stores, newspapers, clothing, and gestural and language conventions” (Hutter, 299). People of the same ethnic background often lived and worked in the same neighborhoods, out of both comfort and convenience. This was especially common in immigrant enclaves due to the low-paying industrial jobs offered. Of course, most people tend to gravitate towards people and places they are familiar or comfortable with, which is why friends and family often lived in the same neighborhoods within these enclaves or ghettos. While this concept made people feel safe, the opportunities were not abundant in these areas. “They helped recruit other family members and countrymen into the industrial workforce.” (Hutter, 300). I wouldn’t say this pattern was unsuccessful, especially for immigrants, but there wasn’t really room for upward mobility in these urban enclaves. Cuban immigrants established an enclave in an area in southwest Miami, known as Little Havana. While Cubans still gravitate towards this area in Miami, the generational differences are vast especially in political
An enclave is defined, “as communities where a high percentage of members of the same group, often of the same cultural and ethnic background, voluntarily reside” (Hutter, 294). The neighborhoods within an enclave are usually comprised of various cultural and racial groups. The people living within an urban …show more content…
According to sociologists Douglas S. Massey and Nancy A. Denton, a ghetto is “a set of neighborhoods that are exclusively inhabited by members of one group, within which virtually all members of that group live” (Hutter, 294). The term ghetto originates from the Italian language and was typically used to describe neighborhoods of Jewish immigrants that were isolated due to the law and naturally by tradition. According to the Chicago School, people live in the ghetto model as either a voluntary action or due to coercive actions. Although this ideal seems legitimate and fair in some aspects, the Chicago School did not account for the many African Americans whom were forced into inner-city ghettos through …show more content…
An example of an ethnic enclave would be areas called “Little Italy,” or “Jewtowns.” Each of these enclaves “reflected its distinctive ethnic flavor with its own church or synagogue, stores, newspapers, clothing, and gestural and language conventions” (Hutter, 299). People of the same ethnic background often lived and worked in the same neighborhoods, out of both comfort and convenience. This was especially common in immigrant enclaves due to the low-paying industrial jobs offered. Of course, most people tend to gravitate towards people and places they are familiar or comfortable with, which is why friends and family often lived in the same neighborhoods within these enclaves or ghettos. While this concept made people feel safe, the opportunities were not abundant in these areas. “They helped recruit other family members and countrymen into the industrial workforce.” (Hutter, 300). I wouldn’t say this pattern was unsuccessful, especially for immigrants, but there wasn’t really room for upward mobility in these urban enclaves. Cuban immigrants established an enclave in an area in southwest Miami, known as Little Havana. While Cubans still gravitate towards this area in Miami, the generational differences are vast especially in political