Upper and Lower Class Neighborhoods - Essay Example

? Upper and Lower Neighborhoods Upper and Lower Neighborhoods Neighborhood is a vocabulary used by many people in the society. However, religions and cultures give diverse definitions and meaning. Therefore, this means that the world we live in today has distinct neighborhoods. Some belong to those living in extreme affluence while the rest belong to the middle and lower class of the society. As hard economic times come by, the difference between the two neighborhoods becomes more distinct. Even in the developed nations, the gap between the rich and the poor is clear. This gap has contributed to the several social classes that exist in the present communities. Affluent neighborhoods have several differences and similarities from the lower class neighborhoods (Cubbin et.al, 2008). The difference between the upper class neighborhoods and the lower class result due to better facilities, resources, and services. Because of these differences, the gap between the two keeps widening. The upper class lives in secure neighborhoods, and has access to the best facilities and public services. On the contrary, the lower class lacks access to basic public services. The upper class neighborhoods have a markedly high access to recreational areas and parks. The people inhabiting these regions live in luxurious houses and in close proximity are all sorts of recreational places. There are sporting fields and clubs, gymnasiums, saunas, swimming pools and clubs in upper class regions. For example, golf clubs exist in rich suburbs and golf fans are affluent people. In addition, the rich enjoy frequent visits to parks and gardens and get an opportunity to relax and focus on nature and themselves. On the other hand, the lower class lacks access to such luxurious recreational facilities and parks. These are not available in their neighborhoods and even if they were, it would be too costly to access them. Their income does not allow them to stretch to these recreational facilities. Recreational facilities available in the lower class neighborhoods are small, overcrowded and do not meet the standards of the rich. There exists a concern on the huge difference between the school programs in the upper class regions and the lower class neighborhoods. Children born to the affluent enjoy an inclusive and all round education system. In their neighborhoods, schools offer the best as long as their parents can pay. In the upper class neighborhoods, the expected teacher student ratios exist. The school program is usually more accommodating and students receive considerable attention from their teachers. Integrated into the system are recreational subjects that diversify the options available to the affluent students. These schools have the capacity and resources required to nurture the young minds to become reliable independent individuals. These students enjoy quality education. On the other hand, school programs in the lower class regions do not meet the international education standards. There are too many students and fewer teachers. These schools lack adequate facilities that would enable the children to have access to quality education. Children sent to these schools have to struggle to excel. In the upper class neighborhoods, children have access to equipped local and international libraries. These libraries expose the children to a broad variety of reading materials. Children in these regions can do their research without much strain. On the other hand, it is saddening to realize that children in the lower class neighborhoods lack access to reading material. There are fewer libraries, which apparently do meet quality standards, and the reading material available is not diverse to address the varying needs of the students. In affluent neighborhoods, there are luxurious and classy restaurants where the rich have access to exotic, modern, and traditional dishes and a wide variety of drinks. In these restaurants, prices of food and drinks only favor the rich. These restaurants practice the most current code of etiquette and civilization in their services. There is a code of conduct expected from the customers. The restaurants have conference facilities and other services. However, in the lower class neighborhoods, there are small hotels, usually crowded and offering services of less quality. The owners compromise with the quality of food to make them cheaper and hence more available to the lower class. These hotels are casual places, there is no code of dining, and wining etiquette followed. Drinks served in these hotels are relatively cheaper and less distilled. According to Cubbin et.al, (2008), in the lower class neighborhoods are grocery stores offering cheap but stale vegetables and fruits. Fresh fruits and vegetables stocked in stores in the affluent regions sell at much higher prices. Grocery stores in the affluent areas are vast businesses whereas in the lower class neighborhoods, they are small stalls operated on retail. In addition, there is a difference between the shopping malls in affluent neighborhoods and shops in the lower class neighborhoods. There are large wholesale shopping malls in affluent regions offering all varieties of goods and services. These are relatively expensive compared to the goods in other regions. However, most of these goods are quality and worth the price. In lower class, neighborhoods are retail shops and medium size malls and supermarkets. These merchants realize the economic strains of the lower class who cannot buy in bulk. Goods are available in all sizes and at relatively friendly prices. The upper class neighborhoods have more security in their homes and premises. The people residing in these areas have space to live and enjoy life without overcrowding in their residential places. They have a continuous access to public services such as clean water, electricity, health facilities, and a cleaner environment. This makes them lead a decent life for they can assess the basic needs without difficulties. On the hand, lower class neighborhoods live in threatening insecurity. In fact, their lives are surrounded by misfortunes and hard and complex lifestyles. This is because they lack access to public services such as provision of clean drinking water, power, sanitation, and health services and live in a polluted environment (Cubbin et. al, 2008). Residential housing in these regions is of poor quality and is overcrowded. There is a marked difference between roads serving the upper class and those serving the lower class. Road to affluent areas are in good state while those in lower class areas are in a bad state. Bungalows and mansionettes mark housing in affluent regions. In conclusion, there are diverse differences between affluent and lower class neighborhoods. The two classes of people lead different lives because they have access to different facilities, services, and resources. The social class determines access to these facilities. On the other hand, the level of income determines the social class. The level of income as brought to light in this paper determines the social class one is classified and hence different neighborhoods. This explains why the rich always get access to more affluence whereas the poor continue to live below the world poverty levels. A general overview of the number and quality of facilities available to both neighborhoods presents one with alarming statistics. The lower class neighborhoods require an upgrading system. Provision of public services such as access to healthcare, sanitation, education, electricity, and decent housing can upgrade the lower class to another level. The gap between the two keeps broadening. It is evident that the differences are due to the difference in availability of resources, services, and facilities. To minimize the gap between the two, governments should concentrate on laying strategies and projects that can upgrade the lower class neighborhoods. References Cubbin, C. et.al. (2008). NEIGHBORHOODS AND HEALTH. Retrieved on February, 08, 2012, from http://www.rwjf.org/files/research/commissionneighborhood102008.pdf Read More