WWU: PLSC 347 Final 2016. Essay Two Pt. II

Lowest class consisting of the poor and unemployed. The majority of the individuals are racial minorities. Affected by structural, cultural forces in society. According to the Wilson reading, defined as \"hyper segregated and living in concentrated poverty\"

Political: •During the 1940s-1950s, redlining black neighborhoods occurred. •Barriers such as freeways were also created that walled off the poor/minority neighborhoods from central business districts. •Housing market incentives contributed to white middle class suburbs and keeping black families in impoverished areas. •Passage of the Housing Act of 1949: Funded urban renewal program that aided the homeless and poor families. Access to public housing was restricted to the extremely poor. •Bush's administration made issues worse by reducing federal aid in the cities.

Economic: •Globalization of economic activity leads to firms relocating production facilities to other nations with cheaper labor. •Technology: Increased role in production and labor which leads to those working in manufacturing that are unionized and stable to the service industry with lower wages and less stable. •As people move to lower-paid jobs, the economy suffers because people have less money to spend.

•Cultural frames: Influence or direct social action causing reinforced social inequality. •Example: \"Cool pose culture\" become popular among young black males in the inner city. Consists of sexual conquests, party drugs and hip hop music. This idea of culture blames the individual and not the structure or industry. Other countries believe it is the opposite.

Structural forces (political/economic) are more significant than the cultural forces in influencing the underclass. A study found that economic changes became responsible for the increases/decreases in impoverished areas. The number of people living in high-poverty areas decreased by 24% from 1990-200 due to economic boom. Furthermore, earlier increase in concentrated poverty occurred during a period of rising income inequality across America.