12 The Real Fishtown
The concept of social classes often relies on stereotypes that don’t accurately reflect reality. The new lower class includes many individuals who don’t fit the negative images often associated with it. Instead of being inherently problematic, many members of this class are just struggling to make their lives work. When a man relies on his sister’s family for support, it creates stress within that household, and when this becomes widespread in a community, it can lead to greater societal issues. The absence of fathers contributes to challenges for the next generation, as children do better with present fathers.
There are also individuals in the new lower class who are unwilling to work and may rely heavily on partners, leading to further strain on families and relationships. Some parents struggle with serious issues, including neglect and abuse, impacting their children's well-being. These problems are familiar to those in working-class neighborhoods, but statistics alone cannot convey the full extent of these struggles.
Fishtown is a neighborhood in Philadelphia, known for its historical and cultural significance. With a predominantly white population, it has remained mostly unchanged over decades. Despite being an area of economic hardship, residents take pride in their community. Past studies reveal a strong sense of connection and resilience among its people, even as they face deprivation. The experiences of Fishtown residents highlight how data about socio-economic status can translate into everyday challenges and changes in their lives, emphasizing the need to listen to their stories for a clearer understanding of their circumstances.
Marriage
In Fishtown, the decline of marriage began in the 1970s. By 1980, the percentage of families with children headed by married couples had dropped significantly from 81% to 67%. Traditionally, getting pregnant often led to marriage, but this changed drastically over the years. Many young women were becoming pregnant without marrying, and while some pregnancies were planned, others were seen as a way to gain independence. Teenage mothers, in particular, reported feeling pressure and competition among family members regarding pregnancy.
Despite access to information about family planning, many young women experienced unplanned pregnancies. There wasn't a strong religious barrier against using birth control among these teens. Some pregnancies offered a perceived social status or an escape from home life, while others became overwhelmed by parenting responsibilities. Many of these mothers lacked knowledge about raising children, leading them to rely on their own parents for support.
Grandparents in the community often took on the responsibility of raising grandchildren due to the instability in their daughters' lives. Some families did well under this arrangement, while others faced difficulties. Many married women struggled to provide for their families alone, while their partners failed to fulfill traditional roles. This situation raises concerns about the dynamics of family and community support in Fishtown.
Industriousness
Between the 1960 and 2000 censuses, the number of working-age men in Fishtown not in the labor force increased significantly, suggesting many may have become discouraged about job opportunities. Despite this rise, unemployment rates remained relatively stable. Residents expressed sadness over the loss of high-paying factory jobs rather than a lack of jobs overall. Many men in the area seemed unwilling or unable to keep steady employment, with some living on welfare or relying on family support instead. Examples included those who preferred not to work or could not hold jobs due to a lack of motivation, influenced by observing similar patterns in their family and friends. Some young men found pride in being part of groups like the “Sunshine Club,” where not working became a badge of honor, while others struggled to find stability after being influenced negatively by their peers. Furthermore, welfare and disability assistance played significant roles in the community, with some men finding alternative ways to get by, often avoiding traditional job markets. This cycle of dependency and lack of ambition has persisted across generations.
Honesty
In Fishtown, crime was minimal in the past, with a strong sense of community and honesty. When problems arose, neighbors often managed them without police involvement. However, over time, family structures changed, leading to more unsupervised teenagers. Residents noted an increase in youth vandalism and substance abuse, which was devastating local parks and playgrounds. Parents were often absent, and there was a notable shift in their approach to discipline. Rather than correcting their children's behavior, many parents were more likely to defend them, even in the face of clear misbehavior. This created an environment where children felt they could act without fear of consequences. Community intervention by neighbors, once common, became less accepted, and parents preferred to be seen as friends rather than enforcers of discipline. Overall, these changes contributed to a rise in juvenile delinquency, leaving many residents feeling hopeless about the future of their community.
Religiosity
Fishtown was once a deeply Catholic community centered around its churches, which were social hubs and educational institutions. The teachings of the Catholic Church shaped the values of the parishioners. However, the influence of the church had diminished by the time of the research. While some families remained active and participated in events, many younger people showed a weak connection to the church. Even students in Catholic schools often did not carry forward the traditions, engaging in behaviors that strayed from the church's teachings. There remained a residual reliance on church support during significant life events.
The New Lower Class
In Kensington, some people use the term "lower class" for those who don’t work or support their families, seen as different from those who do. Angie, a lunchroom worker, moved to a new area and noticed more lower-class people who rely on welfare and don’t seem to want to work. This view shows that problems like welfare dependence and family issues are not just about race, as residents also share stories about the difficulties faced by white families that are similar to those of black and Latino families.
Epilogue
Fishtown has undergone significant changes since the late 1990s, primarily due to gentrification. The neighborhood attracted artists and musicians seeking affordable housing near downtown Philadelphia. Over time, affluent professionals also moved in, leading to rising property values. Once-cheap homes are now selling for much higher prices, making it difficult for long-time residents to stay. Many local businesses have transformed, offering upscale products and services that contrast with their former selves. Ken Milano, a resident, expresses concern about these changes, particularly as family-friendly schools have faced closures due to low enrollment. While Fishtown is losing its original character, similar changes are happening to many working-class neighborhoods across the country, affecting communities and their traditions.
The concept of social classes often relies on stereotypes that don’t accurately reflect reality. The new lower class includes many individuals who don’t fit the negative images often associated with it. Instead of being inherently problematic, many members of this class are just struggling to make their lives work. When a man relies on his sister’s family for support, it creates stress within that household, and when this becomes widespread in a community, it can lead to greater societal issues. The absence of fathers contributes to challenges for the next generation, as children do better with present fathers.
There are also individuals in the new lower class who are unwilling to work and may rely heavily on partners, leading to further strain on families and relationships. Some parents struggle with serious issues, including neglect and abuse, impacting their children's well-being. These problems are familiar to those in working-class neighborhoods, but statistics alone cannot convey the full extent of these struggles.
Fishtown is a neighborhood in Philadelphia, known for its historical and cultural significance. With a predominantly white population, it has remained mostly unchanged over decades. Despite being an area of economic hardship, residents take pride in their community. Past studies reveal a strong sense of connection and resilience among its people, even as they face deprivation. The experiences of Fishtown residents highlight how data about socio-economic status can translate into everyday challenges and changes in their lives, emphasizing the need to listen to their stories for a clearer understanding of their circumstances.
Marriage
In Fishtown, the decline of marriage began in the 1970s. By 1980, the percentage of families with children headed by married couples had dropped significantly from 81% to 67%. Traditionally, getting pregnant often led to marriage, but this changed drastically over the years. Many young women were becoming pregnant without marrying, and while some pregnancies were planned, others were seen as a way to gain independence. Teenage mothers, in particular, reported feeling pressure and competition among family members regarding pregnancy.
Despite access to information about family planning, many young women experienced unplanned pregnancies. There wasn't a strong religious barrier against using birth control among these teens. Some pregnancies offered a perceived social status or an escape from home life, while others became overwhelmed by parenting responsibilities. Many of these mothers lacked knowledge about raising children, leading them to rely on their own parents for support.
Grandparents in the community often took on the responsibility of raising grandchildren due to the instability in their daughters' lives. Some families did well under this arrangement, while others faced difficulties. Many married women struggled to provide for their families alone, while their partners failed to fulfill traditional roles. This situation raises concerns about the dynamics of family and community support in Fishtown.
Industriousness
Between the 1960 and 2000 censuses, the number of working-age men in Fishtown not in the labor force increased significantly, suggesting many may have become discouraged about job opportunities. Despite this rise, unemployment rates remained relatively stable. Residents expressed sadness over the loss of high-paying factory jobs rather than a lack of jobs overall. Many men in the area seemed unwilling or unable to keep steady employment, with some living on welfare or relying on family support instead. Examples included those who preferred not to work or could not hold jobs due to a lack of motivation, influenced by observing similar patterns in their family and friends. Some young men found pride in being part of groups like the “Sunshine Club,” where not working became a badge of honor, while others struggled to find stability after being influenced negatively by their peers. Furthermore, welfare and disability assistance played significant roles in the community, with some men finding alternative ways to get by, often avoiding traditional job markets. This cycle of dependency and lack of ambition has persisted across generations.
Honesty
In Fishtown, crime was minimal in the past, with a strong sense of community and honesty. When problems arose, neighbors often managed them without police involvement. However, over time, family structures changed, leading to more unsupervised teenagers. Residents noted an increase in youth vandalism and substance abuse, which was devastating local parks and playgrounds. Parents were often absent, and there was a notable shift in their approach to discipline. Rather than correcting their children's behavior, many parents were more likely to defend them, even in the face of clear misbehavior. This created an environment where children felt they could act without fear of consequences. Community intervention by neighbors, once common, became less accepted, and parents preferred to be seen as friends rather than enforcers of discipline. Overall, these changes contributed to a rise in juvenile delinquency, leaving many residents feeling hopeless about the future of their community.
Religiosity
Fishtown was once a deeply Catholic community centered around its churches, which were social hubs and educational institutions. The teachings of the Catholic Church shaped the values of the parishioners. However, the influence of the church had diminished by the time of the research. While some families remained active and participated in events, many younger people showed a weak connection to the church. Even students in Catholic schools often did not carry forward the traditions, engaging in behaviors that strayed from the church's teachings. There remained a residual reliance on church support during significant life events.
The New Lower Class
In Kensington, some people use the term "lower class" for those who don’t work or support their families, seen as different from those who do. Angie, a lunchroom worker, moved to a new area and noticed more lower-class people who rely on welfare and don’t seem to want to work. This view shows that problems like welfare dependence and family issues are not just about race, as residents also share stories about the difficulties faced by white families that are similar to those of black and Latino families.
Epilogue
Fishtown has undergone significant changes since the late 1990s, primarily due to gentrification. The neighborhood attracted artists and musicians seeking affordable housing near downtown Philadelphia. Over time, affluent professionals also moved in, leading to rising property values. Once-cheap homes are now selling for much higher prices, making it difficult for long-time residents to stay. Many local businesses have transformed, offering upscale products and services that contrast with their former selves. Ken Milano, a resident, expresses concern about these changes, particularly as family-friendly schools have faced closures due to low enrollment. While Fishtown is losing its original character, similar changes are happening to many working-class neighborhoods across the country, affecting communities and their traditions.