Poverty pockets and life chances - On the role of place in shaping social inequality

Living in certain neighborhoods may exacerbate the poverty problem by affecting the life chances of people negatively. The important question is by which mechanisms the disadvantaged positions of the inhabitants of an area are reinforced. A reduced access to the job market, social isolation, stigmatization, and limited access to social citizenship rights can be seen as the most important mechanisms. What it means to be poor and live in a ''poverty pocket'' is explained by Dahrendorf's conceptualization of the idea of life chances, which can be unfolded in a provision, an entitlements, and a ligatures component. Although still much research is needed, it is concluded that living in poverty packets affect life chances. This has not only to do with the quality of goods and services offered but maybe even more so with the difficult access poor people in poverty pockets have to provisions.