1. 1 10. Social and Economic Inequalities: Housing Learning Intentions (Pupils should be able to): 1.Describe the inequalities that exist in housing in the USA and give reasons to explain these inequalities. 2. Detail the inequalities that exist between ethnic minorities in the USA in terms of crime and the US criminal justice system. Many Americans live in middle class suburbs but there are also many people who live in poor quality housing. Crime is a problem in the USA but it does not affect all Americans equally.

2. 2 Social and Economic Inequalities: Housing Although most Americans live in high quality inner city housing or edge of city suburbs, there are also millions of Americans who live in run-down inner city areas or ghettos. Features of middle class edge of city suburbs high quality housing areas include: a crime-free neighbourhood, parks and open spaces and good quality schools. Sometimes these areas when they are mainly populated by white people are called ‘vanilla suburbs’ or ‘ebony suburbs for middle class Black suburbs. People living in ghetto housing experience a life a world away from those in middle class suburbs. Ghetto housing areas are affected by crime, gangs, poor schools and a lack of shops and facilities.

3. 3 Social and Economic Inequalities: Housing One reason for US housing inequalities Housing quality is linked to income. In general, the higher the income the better the housing. Income is linked to education. Again, in general, the better the educational attainment the better the income. Educational success depends on a number of factors but the schools with the best educational facilities and exam success tend to be in the wealthiest neighbourhoods. As a greater percentage of people from minority groups are born in poorer areas, they are more likely to remain poor in adult life. There is a ‘cycle of poverty’ which makes it very hard for poorer Americans, often minorities, to improve themselves.

4. 4 Social and Economic Inequalities: Crime and Justice Crime and the criminal justice system are two other areas where there are inequalities in the US. If a person is poor and especially if Black, they are, proportionately, more likely to: be a victim of a crime including murder, robbery or theft commit crime be arrested for a crime be found guilty of a crime be punished more severely for committing a crime including being sentenced to death or life imprisonment

5. 5 Questions 1.“There are many inequalities in housing in the USA.” View of Kimberley Ewan. Provide information to support the view of Kimberley Ewan. 2.Explain, in detail, why some Americans can afford better housing than others. 3.In what ways does crime and the criminal justice system appear to disproportionately affect minority groups? 4.Using the pages below, provide three pieces of information to show inequality in terms of crime and justice. Reading: Pulse: ‘International Issues’ pages 66-69 and 73-74 or Leckie and Leckie: ‘Course Notes’ pages 239 - 241. Social and Economic Inequalities: Housing / Crime and Justice