Social Exclusion

Term Paper # 102989

Environmental Studies > Urban Issues
Sociology

Social Exclusion

This paper discusses the problem of social exclusion as part of urban sociology.

1,090 words () | 3 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that social exclusion is one of the ways in which social inequalities are expressed within urban areas. The author points out that residents are grouped together according to a number of factors including socio-economic status, race, gender and even age. The paper relates that those individuals with few economic resources, limited social capital or belonging to the wrong gender or race end up being excluded from the social process that ultimately shapes urban areas. The author underscores that urban sociology fits into this field of study because these activities determine the shape of the city, which in turn affects the behavior of individuals. The paper states that the simplest form of social exclusion is that there is no space for the groups that are being excluded, such as the homeless.

From the Paper:

"Public spaces are enclosed because they have economic value. However, the economic interests of corporations and other members of society are entwined with political and social interests. As certain economic, social and political interests come to dominate public spaces, certain social elements must be excluded. This is a perfect example of how the social processes involved in the city ultimately change the physical nature of the city. These changes in physical structure ultimately result in further social change. This clearly demonstrates the relationship between social exclusion and urban sociology."

Sample of Sources Used:

Clarke, Tony and Dopp, Sarah, Challenging McWorld, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, 2001.
Gaetz, Stephen, "Safe Streets for Whom? Homeless Youth, Social Exclusion, and Criminal Victimization" in Canadian Journal Of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Ottawa, Vol.46, Iss.4, July 2004: 423-452.
Hiller, Harry H., Urban Canada, Oxford University Press, New York, 2005.