Poverty In Rural America: A Case Study - Softcover

Fitchen, Janet M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0891589015 ISBN 13: 9780891589013

Publisher: Routledge, 1981

Synopsis

This case study of poverty in the contemporary United States examines a problem that is widespread but little studied: run-down neighborhoods of intergenerational poverty scattered on the rural fringes of urban areas. Intertwining historical, economic, social, cultural, and psychological material and basing her work on a decade of participant observation, the author provides a new understanding of the lives and actions of nonfarm rural poor people and identifies the causes of their marginal situation. Beginning with a typical day in the life of one family, Dr. Fitchen illustrates in specific and personal terms the endemic problems--unsatisfactory employment, low and insecure income, social marginality, inadequate education, neglected health problems, substandard housing, and low self- esteem--that plague rural depressed areas. She describes the ways people perceive their problems and goals, the constraints they face, and the solutions they have developed, looking always for common patterns of thought and action--and an explanation of these patterns--that will be useful to students, practitioners, and policymakers. Among her conclusions are concrete suggestions for breaking the cycle of entrenched rural poverty.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1981
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0891589015
• ISBN 13: 9780891589013
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 257