The neighborhood of Brooklyn is where both my family and I reside. Brooklyn also happens to be the home to most immigrants from Africa, Asia, Middle-East, the Americas, the Caribbean, and all contributing their rich talents and cultures to the borough. And this kind of diversity is manifested in the linguistic compositions by these multi-ethnic neighborhoods within Brooklyn. Emigrants from English-speaking nations find it easy to linguistic integrate with the locals as they already have the advantage of knowing the English language.
The socio-economic levels within Brooklyn appear to be lower than the surrounding neighborhoods of the greater New York City. According to the latest Brooklyn Community Health Report, for instance, native-born residents have a higher poverty share as compared to the foreign-born counterparts. This fact is attributed to the possibility of stress of earning a living from constant financial constraints which not only leads to physical but also emotional illness. In particular, from the same report, 22% of the families within Brooklyn live below the levels of poverty. In contrary, 17% of the same live elsewhere within the city while only 7% in the whole state. Again, households earning below the annual income of $35,000 spend roughly a share of 30% on housing as compared to Brooklynites with higher wage earnings (LaRosa, 2007). As such, the importance of extending support to close family members and even close-knit within Brooklyn’s community is clearly evident.
The systems of education can rise so long as both the students and parents can like or support. There is a great educational input, and as seen in the neighborhood, students have the potential to scale more heights. However, the same Brooklyn Community Health Report indicates that the level of education and occupation in Brooklyn, particularly for those aged 25 or more is slightly lower than the rest of New York City. For instance, the report shows that a third of adults aged 25 and above of Brooklynites never graduated from high school. When compared to other parts of the city, a similar study indicates the figure of only a quarter. On the same note, only 22% hold an undergraduate or higher degree compared to 30% in New York City itself and a further 27% in the entire state (LaRosa, 2007).
As far as family size and structure is concerned, Brooklyn happens to have a larger average family size than the city and nation at large. However, Brooklyn has the least percentage of those families being headed by couples who are married than elsewhere in the city or the state. More so, a third of its families are headed by single women, the majority of whom bear the responsibility of supporting their young children. Fact wise, the same Brooklyn Community Health Report show that only 59% of Brooklyn families are being headed by couples in marriage as compared to 63% in the city and 79% in the whole state. Surprisingly, about 30% of grandparents bear the responsibility for the financial support and long-term care of their grandchildren (LaRosa, 2007).
On religion, owing to the fact that Brooklyn is home to many ethnicities that carry with them cultural identities, the neighborhood is composed of both religious and non-religious affiliated. Of course, there are various reasons, as to why there are many religious compositions including one’s ethic background, country of birth, age (since religious belief tends to be stronger with increasing age) and changes in systems of beliefs and values. Some of the existing religious affiliations include Catholic, LDS, Baptist, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Other Christians, Jewish, Eastern and Islam (New York Religion).
These research findings bring with them certain implications to both residents and the neighborhood at large. Poverty, for instance, hurts not only the poor but also the economy of the society. It also means limited access to basic social services such as healthcare and education. Low education levels imply limitations when it comes to accessing good jobs and occupation. However, I think there has been an increase in the efforts aimed at improving the negative aspects of the earlier noted concerns like poverty, expansion of education, occupation, and healthcare. However, those who don’t speak the language often stay perhaps in social isolation, a fact that would have consequential effects when it comes to job opportunities and access to not only healthcare but also other social services.
My response to the research results, I have to say, has been a little shocking. I did not know that Brooklyn happens to be lagging on nearly everything within the city and at worse, across the projected national averages. Also, it looks as if Brooklyn again leads on most of the negative or undesired things including poverty and low levels of education. There are plenty of intercultural opportunities within Brooklyn. For instance, one can learn a lot of cross-cultural literary art such as theater within the neighborhood through such community or nonprofit organizations. Again, intercultural forums provide learning and career development opportunities especially with regards to intercultural communication discipline. Also, job opportunities present themselves in intercultural corporate such as DFA Intercultural Global Solutions Inc. I think it is necessary to learn about individuals in the neighboring community and even the language that they use to enhance communication with them especially those who don’t speak English. For peaceful coexistence and embraces, there is the need for communication understanding by people sharing same neighborhood. Respect and value for others’ culture are essential in aiding such coexistence.
References
LaRosa, J. C. (2007). Brooklyn Community Healthcare. SUNNY Downstate Medical Center, 1-3.
Brooklyn (zip 11205), New York Religion. (n.d.). Retrieved April 30, 2016, from http://www.bestplaces.net/religion/zip-code/new_york/brooklyn/11205
