The Cost of Being Poor: A Comparative Study of Life in Poor Urban Neighborhoods in Gary, Indiana

Chapter 5. A Tale of Three Families: Impracticality Costs

C H A P T E R F I V E A Tale of Three Families: Impracticality Costs Scholars have discovered the research benefits of first person narratives to augment traditional empirical studies. In the groundbreaking ethnography by Liebow (1967), the reader is transported into the day-to-day experiences of the central character, Tally, and in doing so, comes to better understand the challenges and triumphs of urban living for a segment of that population. Through the use of narratives and life histories, Liebow guides the reader in order to expand possibly contracted definitions of Black masculinity . This chapter is in the tradition of Liebow’s work and, more recently , Pattillo-McCoy’s (1999) case histories of “Spider Waters” and “Terri Jones.” The three families, one African American (Tamara Davis), one White (Pat Moore), and one Hispanic (Mary Ramirez), were selected based on their experiences in and around Gary, Indiana, and their status as families with dependent children (refer to Table 5.1 for demographic profiles of each family). Unlike the families profiled in chapter 3, each family in this chapter previously lived in Gary or in an urban setting similar to Gary. Each made a decision to relocate, but continues to have close ties to urban areas. As such, they provide a unique perspective regarding out-migration challenges and choices. Each may also represent persons most likely to relocate back to cities such as Gary based on the effectiveness of urban renewal efforts. The purpose here is also to compare and contrast their economic and noneconomic experiences as current or previous residents in urban locales. Narratives are presented chronologically as recalled by the respondents.1 I also introduce emergent themes and periodically interject observations . This slight deviation from tradition is done to provide added structure for the reader. 121 Table 5.1 Family Demographics and Monthly Household Expenses Variable Tamara Pat Mary Total in Household (adults and children) 3 4 5 Average Annual Household Income $27.5 K $17.5 K $32.5K Monthly Food Amount $250* $75 $300 Monthly Clothing Amount $25 $35 $100 Monthly Rent (# bedrooms) $720 (2) $620 (3) $350 (house) Gas/Utilities $100 $109 $150 Car Insurance $150 $82 $154 Telephone Bill $45 $75 $50 Health Insurance Husband Medicaid $40⫹ Childcare/week $130 $50 na Other Expenses: Internet $19.95 Car Note $298 $0 $0 Estimated Monthly Household Income: $2,292 $1,458 $2,708 Estimated Monthly Household Expenses: $1,763 $1,066 $1,144 Net: $529 $392 $1,564 Note: *$175 used to purchase food for the home, remainder for day care. ⫹Children insured via Hoosier Healthcare. The goal is not generalizability—the small sample size precludes this. However, the exploration of the everyday lives of the three families may serve to uncover common experiences and understandings that parallel current literature on poverty and urban living and also illustrate nuances within these research arenas. In general, the families are similar in terms of socioeconomic status (per capita family income). They also employ specific strategies, as they go about the daily round and incur many of the same types of costs to feed, clothe, and care for their families. However, they have varying views about poverty, urban challenges, and remedies. A summary is provided at each section end, and the chapter conclusion reminds the reader of ways in which the histories of the three families inform the larger theoretical framework and literature on the urban experience. As suggested by PattilloMcCoy (1999), upon completion, the readers will hopefully be able “to see the world through the eyes of someone . . . using his or her unique perspective to illuminate key social mechanisms” (p. 167). 122 The Cost of Being Poor The Family of Tamara Davis “I try to show as much support for Gary as I can, but I try not to be stupid either.” Thirty-year-old Tamara was born and raised in Gary, Indiana. Although she currently lives and works outside the city in nearby Merrillville and LaPorte, Indiana, respectively, much of her time is spent with family and friends in Gary. Tamara is one of five children born into a working-class nuclear family. Although her father could not read or write, education, hard work, and delayed gratification were stressed by both her parents. Her father was employed at American Bridge Steel, and her mother worked at a local business. Family involvement in a local Black church was central to her upbringing...