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A New Insight into Urban Poverty: The Culture of Capability Poverty amongst Korean Immigrant Women in Los Angeles

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  • HaeRan Shin

    (Bartlett School of Planning, University College London, 22 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0QB, UK, h.shin@ucl.ac.uk)

Abstract

This study analyses 'the culture of capability poverty' of 42 Korean immigrant women who live in Los Angeles to uncover the systemic road to gendered urban poverty. Through in-depth interviews, this research observes the interaction between sub-culture and capability in the subject's career domain, reinterpreting Lewis' culture of poverty thesis within Sen's capability approach. The subjects have developed their culture of capability poverty within that domain—such as low aspiration and heavy reliance on their Christianity—as a response to career-decision constraints including a strong woman's image, their childhood education and job market inequality. This paper concludes that, while their sub-culture is a positive life-strategy mechanism for dealing with their gender situation, it ultimately becomes lack of capability, poverty itself.

Suggested Citation

  • HaeRan Shin, 2008. "A New Insight into Urban Poverty: The Culture of Capability Poverty amongst Korean Immigrant Women in Los Angeles," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 45(4), pages 871-896, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:45:y:2008:i:4:p:871-896
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098007088472
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    References listed on IDEAS

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