Demographers, as well as sociologists, recognize that different social groups are likely to be differentiated by residential spaces. This recognition introduces the concept of residential segregation, which Jeffrey Timberlake and Mario Ignatov (2014) define as the spatial separation of more than one social group within a particular geographical area such as a metropolitan, municipality, or a county. Studies on residential segregation look into the extent to which different groups, defined by their racial or national origin, live in various neighborhoods. In spite of the lack of supportive legal statuses, the extent of residential segregation is presumably greater for the African American population in the United States. This provision could be used to suggest that the foundation of residential segregation is related to the issue of racial differences as well as the socioeconomic statuses of individuals. These issues determine the people’s access to education as well as employment opportunities.
Historical elements that have been shaping the patterns of residential segregation are inclusive of systemic interpersonal as well as the institution of racism. According to Popescu, Duffy, Mendelsohn, and Escarce (2018), before the 1960s, residential segregation based on racial differences was not only legal but also ubiquitous in the American society. During this period, residential segregation was enforced by social and public policies. The policies are inclusive of the Jim Crow laws that were applicable in the South and the Federal Housing Administration’s policies related to early lending. The policies are indicative of the idea that segregation was persistent through a variety of social and political mechanisms. Because of the enforcement of the laws and policies, African Americans are currently living under a particular level of segregation, which is higher than the levels of any other racial or ethnic group.
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Residential segregation shapes the racial differences in the socioeconomic statuses of individuals. In this light, black neighborhoods in metropolitan areas that are highly segregated tend to be characterized by limited opportunities in the labor market as well as access to good quality education (Popescu et al., 2018). The limited access to these opportunities contributes to income inequality among different races, concentrated poverty, as well as high unemployment levels. On the other hand, the conditions of the black neighborhoods can influence the health status of the residents negatively. In this case, the neighborhoods are not only crowded, but the housing quality is also poor. On the other hand, some of the black neighborhoods do not have fundamental amenities such as recreational facilities and institutions that offer healthy food choices (Popescu et al., 2018). These social factors are the basic causes of inequality between the majority and minority races living in the United States.
Residential segregation also affects the availability of the quality of services provided for by municipalities. For instance, the quality of services provided by municipalities in black neighborhoods is lower, compared to the services that the individuals living in white neighborhoods receive. This pervasive disadvantage is an element that contributes to issues such as social disorganization, high crime rates, family disruptions, and diminished trust among the members living within the particular black residential space (Popescu et al., 2018). Conversely, residential segregation negatively affects healthcare delivery, including the lower rates of adopting health insurance. Even though the access to health insurance could be related to high unemployment rates, the healthcare facilities in black communities provide lower quality services than the white community spaces (Timberlake & Ignatov, 2014). This is one of the pathways that could be used to explain the effects of racial segregation as well as systemic racism.
In the light of the idea that residential segregation creates health disparities, it is essential for local governments to develop and implement effective efforts that can assist in the elimination of racial disparities in health. Williams and Collins (2001) suggest that one of the ways through which the government can achieve this is through confronting residential segregation as well as the pervasive consequences of the same. This suggestion is in line with the argument that residential segregation did not occur naturally. In this case, the physical manifestations of societal practices, policies, and administrative plans have denied the minority populations equal opportunity. From this perspective, it is possible to determine that the manifestations could be reversed to ensure that the minority races receive equal opportunities, which is essential for ensuring that the consequences of residential segregation are contained.
In conclusion, it is essential to restate that residential segregation refers to the spatial separation of more than one social group within a particular geographical area such as a metropolitan, municipality, or a county (Timberlake & Ignatov, 2014). Disparities between the residential spaces occupied by the majority and minority communities remain sizeable. The gap is not only an effect of residential segregation but socioeconomic inequalities among the identified groups. Based on the idea that minority groups live in unsuitable conditions, proposed solutions to end the attached effects should focus on improving the variation in living conditions between the black and the white neighborhoods in metropolitan areas that are highly segregated. Conversely, the federal and state policymakers should work towards the expansion of initiatives that will improve the pathway to acquiring a higher education for minority groups and provide them with employment opportunities.
References
Popescu, I., Duffy, E., Mendelsohn, J., & Escarce, J. (2018). Racial residential segregation, socioeconomic disparities, and the White-Black survival gap. PLOS ONE , 13 (2), e0193222. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193222
Timberlake, J., & Ignatov, M. (2014). Residential Segregation. Oxford Bibliographies Online Datasets . doi: 10.1093/obo/9780199756384-0116
Williams, D., & Collins, C. (2001). Racial Residential Segregation: A Fundamental Cause of Racial Disparities in Health. Public Health Reports , 116 (5), 404-416. doi: 10.1093/phr/116.5.404
