The Ghetto Underclass: Social Science Perspectives, Updated Edition

by William Julius Wilson (Editor)

This volume examines the urban underclass from theoretical, empirical and policy perspectives. Focusing strongly on policy, contributors explore such topics as demographic and industrial transitions, family patterns, sexual behaviour, immigration and homelessness. A new introduction updates recent work in the field since publication of the first edition.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

William Julius Wilson is an American sociologist, a professor at Harvard University, and an author of works on urban sociology, race, and class issues. Laureate of the National Medal of Science, he served as the 80th President of the American Sociological Association, was a member of numerous national boards and commissions. He identified the importance of neighborhood effects and demonstrated how limited employment opportunities and weakened institutional resources exacerbated poverty within American inner-city neighborhoods.