SlideShare a Scribd company logo
Suburban Poverty
KYLE OLIVER
SOCIOLOGY 270
COMMUNITY STUDIES
DR. JOHNSON
The topic I chose to further document was from the chapter
titled The Suburban Era.
The specific topic in which I chose from the text is
“Suburban Poverty.”
Suburban Poverty Explained
 Palen does not provide a specific definition for Suburbs.
--The dictionary definition of suburbs is an outlying part of a city or town.
 Therefore Suburban Poverty consists of impoverished individuals residing
in the Suburbs.
 Accoridng to Palen, although “…cities still have higher poverty rates, the
total number of poor in suburbs exceeded the city poor by 3 million in
2011.”
Suburban Poverty Explained
 For my photo walk I chose the modest suburban areas of Tonawanda and
North Tonawanda.
 I primarily stayed close to the canal areas in both cities but did make my
way down to the Tonawanda Housing Projects because I spent the
majority of my childhood there.
 I also went down Oliver St in North Tonawanda because there are plenty of
examples abandoned store fronts and bars refitted into low rent
apartments.
Suburban Poverty
 The reason I chose suburban poverty as my topic for the Photo Walk was
simple. While reading the chapter I was surprised to find that so many
people in communities similar to my own were living in poverty. Really, it
blows my mind that in the strongest and most prosperous country in the
land the opportunities to remove yourself from a life of poverty may be
endless but not always realistic to achieve.
City of
Tonawanda
Demographics
 Estimated median household income in 2016: $49,415
-(Poverty Line for two person household in NYS is $30,044)
95.2%White alone
2.0%Hispanic
0.9%Black alone
0.9%Two or more races
0.6%Asian alone
0.4%American Indian alone
0.05%Other race alone
0.01%Native Hawaiian and Other
Pacific Islander alone
Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/Tonawanda-New-
York.html#ixzz5EDOSZKnf
Tonawanda Housing Authority
“Projects”
-The first place I went to was my home
until I was ten years old.
- The design is typical to all the
“Projects” I have ever seen. Either side
has an upstairs and downstairs.
-Some might feature an extra bedroom
or bathroom than another, we moved
into a bigger one when I was 7.
-More than half of these were
condemned for some time after finding
mold outbreaks in the apartments along
with declining conditions through lack of
- If one were to google search
low income housing in either
Tonawanda or North
Tonawanda this would be their
first hit.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-
ab&ei=4abnWuqeNOzt5gLVlqvgDw&q=low+income+housing+tona
wanda&oq=low+income+housing+tonawanda&gs_l=psy-
ab.3...1915552.1925944.0.1926100.59.24.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1.1.64.psy-
ab..59.0.0....0.MFGFNffXXzA
-An application must be filled
out first in order to qualify for
this type of housing.
Home in Poor
Condition
 Although not complete
reflection of the City of
Tonawanda, there are many
houses of this status
throughout the city. Still being
lived in.
Abandoned Store
Front and Low
Income Apartment
 In my opinion this reflects
the worsening financial
situations associated with
the suburbs.
 According to Palen
“Suburbia today is no
longer the Promised Land.”
Former Loaction of
Spaulding Factory
 The Spaulding Fibre Factory
located in Tonawanda was the
largest employer in the city
from 1911-1992.
 This is what remains.
Video of Spaulding Smoke Stack
Demolition
(Right Click and Click Preview)
Apartment
Complex
Across
Penarrow Dr.
in
Tonawanda.
-Low Income
Housing is frequent.
Store Refinished into Low Income
Apartment on Oliver St in North
Tonawanda.
 According to Palen, “Suburban Poor are
less served and less seen”, I assume this
is because although the overall area may
be nice there are people struggling
included in those same neighborhoods.
Perspective
 I wanted to put into perspective how
Suburbs as a whole aren’t on massive
downward spiral. Yet, because they are
actually still growing the impoverished in
these communities continue to be
overlooked.
 The bottom left houses are two minutes,
basically around the bend from the
Tonawanda Housing Projects and are
located in the section of the City known as
the “The Hill” because of its slight elevation
compared to the rest of the city. While the
other two houses are two for sale on my
street (I know longer live in lower income
housing.) But there is a large apartment
complex around the corner from my house
located on Witmer Rd.
Reasons for Suburban Poverty
 I believe that a major reason for the large amount of impoverished
individuals in suburban areas comes from the fact that more people total
live in the suburbs than cities.
 Also the massive loss of manufacturing jobs up North has had a
widespread impact on many northern cities and suburbs. The types of jobs
today require more training, and not everyone is qualified to work them.
Manufacturing Jobs are not completely gone as my dad works at a plant,
but they are few and far between.
Conclusion
 The experience made the material from the text so much easier for me to
understand most obviously because I got up and took a first hand look at
what was being discussed in this chapter myself.
 “From 2000-2011 the Suburban Poor grew 64%.” This part of the text
helped me understand why when I was growing up my parents frequently
discussed how the quality of things was constantly declining.
 The hands on experience this class insists on was most effective, I believe
in keeping me interested in the material from the text, because it forced
me to see and relate what was being discussed to the areas around which I
live.
Citations
 DrStrangegrill, director. How to Demolish an Old Smoke Stack. YouTube,
YouTube, 2 Sept. 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=seZMpdboY30.
 Palen, J. John. The Urban World. Oxford Univ. Press, 2015.
 “Tonawanda, New York.” Tonawanda, New York (NY 14150, 14223) Profile:
Population, Maps, Real Estate, Averages, Homes, Statistics, Relocation,
Travel, Jobs, Hospitals, Schools, Crime, Moving, Houses, News, Sex
Offenders, 2018, www.city-data.com/city/Tonawanda-New-York.html.

More Related Content

Similar to Suburban Poverty

Downtown Niagara Falls
Downtown Niagara FallsDowntown Niagara Falls
Downtown Niagara Falls
Rachel Whipple
 
Crime in the Suburbs/ Photowalk final
Crime in the Suburbs/ Photowalk final Crime in the Suburbs/ Photowalk final
Crime in the Suburbs/ Photowalk final
Mac Coseglia
 
Privilege and poverty in inwood
Privilege and poverty in inwoodPrivilege and poverty in inwood
Privilege and poverty in inwood
Nia Nelson
 
GEO793 Winter 2020Dr MurnaghanThe Geography of TorontoFi.docx
GEO793 Winter 2020Dr MurnaghanThe Geography of TorontoFi.docxGEO793 Winter 2020Dr MurnaghanThe Geography of TorontoFi.docx
GEO793 Winter 2020Dr MurnaghanThe Geography of TorontoFi.docx
shericehewat
 
Discussion 4 After reading Jeff Nixas, A Good Neighborhood.docx
Discussion 4 After reading Jeff Nixas, A Good Neighborhood.docxDiscussion 4 After reading Jeff Nixas, A Good Neighborhood.docx
Discussion 4 After reading Jeff Nixas, A Good Neighborhood.docx
elinoraudley582231
 
Community Studies
Community StudiesCommunity Studies
Community Studies
jenniferboetcher
 
High School Expository Essay Topics
High School Expository Essay TopicsHigh School Expository Essay Topics
High School Expository Essay Topics
Tamika Morris
 
Life Of Pi Essay Prompts
Life Of Pi Essay PromptsLife Of Pi Essay Prompts
Life Of Pi Essay Prompts
Andrea Santiago
 

Similar to Suburban Poverty (8)

Downtown Niagara Falls
Downtown Niagara FallsDowntown Niagara Falls
Downtown Niagara Falls
 
Crime in the Suburbs/ Photowalk final
Crime in the Suburbs/ Photowalk final Crime in the Suburbs/ Photowalk final
Crime in the Suburbs/ Photowalk final
 
Privilege and poverty in inwood
Privilege and poverty in inwoodPrivilege and poverty in inwood
Privilege and poverty in inwood
 
GEO793 Winter 2020Dr MurnaghanThe Geography of TorontoFi.docx
GEO793 Winter 2020Dr MurnaghanThe Geography of TorontoFi.docxGEO793 Winter 2020Dr MurnaghanThe Geography of TorontoFi.docx
GEO793 Winter 2020Dr MurnaghanThe Geography of TorontoFi.docx
 
Discussion 4 After reading Jeff Nixas, A Good Neighborhood.docx
Discussion 4 After reading Jeff Nixas, A Good Neighborhood.docxDiscussion 4 After reading Jeff Nixas, A Good Neighborhood.docx
Discussion 4 After reading Jeff Nixas, A Good Neighborhood.docx
 
Community Studies
Community StudiesCommunity Studies
Community Studies
 
High School Expository Essay Topics
High School Expository Essay TopicsHigh School Expository Essay Topics
High School Expository Essay Topics
 
Life Of Pi Essay Prompts
Life Of Pi Essay PromptsLife Of Pi Essay Prompts
Life Of Pi Essay Prompts
 

Recently uploaded

erevna-influencers-social-media-stin-ellada
erevna-influencers-social-media-stin-elladaerevna-influencers-social-media-stin-ellada
erevna-influencers-social-media-stin-ellada
rvlassopoulou
 
30 Manipulation Techniques to be a smart person in society (1).pdf
30 Manipulation Techniques to be a smart person in society (1).pdf30 Manipulation Techniques to be a smart person in society (1).pdf
30 Manipulation Techniques to be a smart person in society (1).pdf
minaserver6679
 
La transidentité, un sujet qui fractionne les Français
La transidentité, un sujet qui fractionne les FrançaisLa transidentité, un sujet qui fractionne les Français
La transidentité, un sujet qui fractionne les Français
Ipsos France
 
What Makes Candle Making The Ultimate Bachelorette Celebration
What Makes Candle Making The Ultimate Bachelorette CelebrationWhat Makes Candle Making The Ultimate Bachelorette Celebration
What Makes Candle Making The Ultimate Bachelorette Celebration
Wick & Pour
 
EXPERIENCE MONSTER BITES STREETWEAR APPAREL
EXPERIENCE MONSTER BITES STREETWEAR APPARELEXPERIENCE MONSTER BITES STREETWEAR APPAREL
EXPERIENCE MONSTER BITES STREETWEAR APPAREL
6ctbkfpdxz
 
Johnny Depp Long Hair: A Signature Look Through the Years
Johnny Depp Long Hair: A Signature Look Through the YearsJohnny Depp Long Hair: A Signature Look Through the Years
Johnny Depp Long Hair: A Signature Look Through the Years
greendigital
 
From Stress to Success How Oakland's Corporate Wellness Programs are Cultivat...
From Stress to Success How Oakland's Corporate Wellness Programs are Cultivat...From Stress to Success How Oakland's Corporate Wellness Programs are Cultivat...
From Stress to Success How Oakland's Corporate Wellness Programs are Cultivat...
Kitchen on Fire
 
Unique Wedding Bands For Women Who Want To Stand Out.pptx
Unique Wedding Bands For Women Who Want To Stand Out.pptxUnique Wedding Bands For Women Who Want To Stand Out.pptx
Unique Wedding Bands For Women Who Want To Stand Out.pptx
Andrews Jewelers
 
Gujarat Details in Hindi for children's for presentation in school
Gujarat Details in Hindi for children's for presentation in schoolGujarat Details in Hindi for children's for presentation in school
Gujarat Details in Hindi for children's for presentation in school
shouryajoshi5
 
What To Do If Your Ring Is Too Big? Must Read
What To Do If Your Ring Is Too Big? Must ReadWhat To Do If Your Ring Is Too Big? Must Read
What To Do If Your Ring Is Too Big? Must Read
Andrews Jewelers
 

Recently uploaded (10)

erevna-influencers-social-media-stin-ellada
erevna-influencers-social-media-stin-elladaerevna-influencers-social-media-stin-ellada
erevna-influencers-social-media-stin-ellada
 
30 Manipulation Techniques to be a smart person in society (1).pdf
30 Manipulation Techniques to be a smart person in society (1).pdf30 Manipulation Techniques to be a smart person in society (1).pdf
30 Manipulation Techniques to be a smart person in society (1).pdf
 
La transidentité, un sujet qui fractionne les Français
La transidentité, un sujet qui fractionne les FrançaisLa transidentité, un sujet qui fractionne les Français
La transidentité, un sujet qui fractionne les Français
 
What Makes Candle Making The Ultimate Bachelorette Celebration
What Makes Candle Making The Ultimate Bachelorette CelebrationWhat Makes Candle Making The Ultimate Bachelorette Celebration
What Makes Candle Making The Ultimate Bachelorette Celebration
 
EXPERIENCE MONSTER BITES STREETWEAR APPAREL
EXPERIENCE MONSTER BITES STREETWEAR APPARELEXPERIENCE MONSTER BITES STREETWEAR APPAREL
EXPERIENCE MONSTER BITES STREETWEAR APPAREL
 
Johnny Depp Long Hair: A Signature Look Through the Years
Johnny Depp Long Hair: A Signature Look Through the YearsJohnny Depp Long Hair: A Signature Look Through the Years
Johnny Depp Long Hair: A Signature Look Through the Years
 
From Stress to Success How Oakland's Corporate Wellness Programs are Cultivat...
From Stress to Success How Oakland's Corporate Wellness Programs are Cultivat...From Stress to Success How Oakland's Corporate Wellness Programs are Cultivat...
From Stress to Success How Oakland's Corporate Wellness Programs are Cultivat...
 
Unique Wedding Bands For Women Who Want To Stand Out.pptx
Unique Wedding Bands For Women Who Want To Stand Out.pptxUnique Wedding Bands For Women Who Want To Stand Out.pptx
Unique Wedding Bands For Women Who Want To Stand Out.pptx
 
Gujarat Details in Hindi for children's for presentation in school
Gujarat Details in Hindi for children's for presentation in schoolGujarat Details in Hindi for children's for presentation in school
Gujarat Details in Hindi for children's for presentation in school
 
What To Do If Your Ring Is Too Big? Must Read
What To Do If Your Ring Is Too Big? Must ReadWhat To Do If Your Ring Is Too Big? Must Read
What To Do If Your Ring Is Too Big? Must Read
 

Suburban Poverty

  • 1. Suburban Poverty KYLE OLIVER SOCIOLOGY 270 COMMUNITY STUDIES DR. JOHNSON
  • 2. The topic I chose to further document was from the chapter titled The Suburban Era. The specific topic in which I chose from the text is “Suburban Poverty.”
  • 3. Suburban Poverty Explained  Palen does not provide a specific definition for Suburbs. --The dictionary definition of suburbs is an outlying part of a city or town.  Therefore Suburban Poverty consists of impoverished individuals residing in the Suburbs.  Accoridng to Palen, although “…cities still have higher poverty rates, the total number of poor in suburbs exceeded the city poor by 3 million in 2011.”
  • 4. Suburban Poverty Explained  For my photo walk I chose the modest suburban areas of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda.  I primarily stayed close to the canal areas in both cities but did make my way down to the Tonawanda Housing Projects because I spent the majority of my childhood there.  I also went down Oliver St in North Tonawanda because there are plenty of examples abandoned store fronts and bars refitted into low rent apartments.
  • 5. Suburban Poverty  The reason I chose suburban poverty as my topic for the Photo Walk was simple. While reading the chapter I was surprised to find that so many people in communities similar to my own were living in poverty. Really, it blows my mind that in the strongest and most prosperous country in the land the opportunities to remove yourself from a life of poverty may be endless but not always realistic to achieve.
  • 6. City of Tonawanda Demographics  Estimated median household income in 2016: $49,415 -(Poverty Line for two person household in NYS is $30,044) 95.2%White alone 2.0%Hispanic 0.9%Black alone 0.9%Two or more races 0.6%Asian alone 0.4%American Indian alone 0.05%Other race alone 0.01%Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/Tonawanda-New- York.html#ixzz5EDOSZKnf
  • 7. Tonawanda Housing Authority “Projects” -The first place I went to was my home until I was ten years old. - The design is typical to all the “Projects” I have ever seen. Either side has an upstairs and downstairs. -Some might feature an extra bedroom or bathroom than another, we moved into a bigger one when I was 7. -More than half of these were condemned for some time after finding mold outbreaks in the apartments along with declining conditions through lack of
  • 8. - If one were to google search low income housing in either Tonawanda or North Tonawanda this would be their first hit. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1- ab&ei=4abnWuqeNOzt5gLVlqvgDw&q=low+income+housing+tona wanda&oq=low+income+housing+tonawanda&gs_l=psy- ab.3...1915552.1925944.0.1926100.59.24.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1.1.64.psy- ab..59.0.0....0.MFGFNffXXzA -An application must be filled out first in order to qualify for this type of housing.
  • 9. Home in Poor Condition  Although not complete reflection of the City of Tonawanda, there are many houses of this status throughout the city. Still being lived in.
  • 10. Abandoned Store Front and Low Income Apartment  In my opinion this reflects the worsening financial situations associated with the suburbs.  According to Palen “Suburbia today is no longer the Promised Land.”
  • 11. Former Loaction of Spaulding Factory  The Spaulding Fibre Factory located in Tonawanda was the largest employer in the city from 1911-1992.  This is what remains.
  • 12. Video of Spaulding Smoke Stack Demolition (Right Click and Click Preview)
  • 14. Store Refinished into Low Income Apartment on Oliver St in North Tonawanda.  According to Palen, “Suburban Poor are less served and less seen”, I assume this is because although the overall area may be nice there are people struggling included in those same neighborhoods.
  • 15. Perspective  I wanted to put into perspective how Suburbs as a whole aren’t on massive downward spiral. Yet, because they are actually still growing the impoverished in these communities continue to be overlooked.  The bottom left houses are two minutes, basically around the bend from the Tonawanda Housing Projects and are located in the section of the City known as the “The Hill” because of its slight elevation compared to the rest of the city. While the other two houses are two for sale on my street (I know longer live in lower income housing.) But there is a large apartment complex around the corner from my house located on Witmer Rd.
  • 16. Reasons for Suburban Poverty  I believe that a major reason for the large amount of impoverished individuals in suburban areas comes from the fact that more people total live in the suburbs than cities.  Also the massive loss of manufacturing jobs up North has had a widespread impact on many northern cities and suburbs. The types of jobs today require more training, and not everyone is qualified to work them. Manufacturing Jobs are not completely gone as my dad works at a plant, but they are few and far between.
  • 17. Conclusion  The experience made the material from the text so much easier for me to understand most obviously because I got up and took a first hand look at what was being discussed in this chapter myself.  “From 2000-2011 the Suburban Poor grew 64%.” This part of the text helped me understand why when I was growing up my parents frequently discussed how the quality of things was constantly declining.  The hands on experience this class insists on was most effective, I believe in keeping me interested in the material from the text, because it forced me to see and relate what was being discussed to the areas around which I live.
  • 18. Citations  DrStrangegrill, director. How to Demolish an Old Smoke Stack. YouTube, YouTube, 2 Sept. 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=seZMpdboY30.  Palen, J. John. The Urban World. Oxford Univ. Press, 2015.  “Tonawanda, New York.” Tonawanda, New York (NY 14150, 14223) Profile: Population, Maps, Real Estate, Averages, Homes, Statistics, Relocation, Travel, Jobs, Hospitals, Schools, Crime, Moving, Houses, News, Sex Offenders, 2018, www.city-data.com/city/Tonawanda-New-York.html.