Reactions to the Stigmata of Inner City Living

Abstract

This paper discusses the problems of living in a stigmatized inner city community. The reactions of residents are categorized into "Four Moral Careers", and implications for the community of each career are discussed. Major attention is focused on the "activist" career that aims to overcome the stigma of the community. The activists are discussed and described through the use of materials from intensive interviews of local community leaders who have tried to cope with the stigma of the area. Some suggested implications are made for the application of ideas presented herein to urban research in general and the provision of social services in the context of stigmatized inner city communities