Neighborhood and Network Disadvantage
The study by Desmond, M., & An, W. (2015) on Neighborhood and Network Disadvantage among Urban Renters of Milwaukee is interesting. It has offered a significant insight that is very educative and informative, particularly on the Upward and Downward connection measure variables of network disadvantage.
For the indicators used in Upward Connection, the Part-time and full-time jobs I think should have been eradicated, it does not add up to be upward linked. Several narratives are surrounded with part-time jobs and full-time, including unsatisfactory payment or monetary struggles. Ultimately, the young teenager or fresh college graduate working for part-time jobs may be considered as an upwards connection due to more experiences for future and stable grounds for establishment. Concerning the downward connection indicators having children before 18 years was not the right blend for downward connection. Having a kid before 18 years does not necessarily mean you in a network disadvantage. Although this is perceived as having a kid at less than 18 years will pose burdens to access higher education, and struggles are experienced when raising a kid. But the variable like government assistance when incorporated in such an individual may be in a better position for upward connection.
Several indicators may be added to the variables, even though the researchers seem to explore everything resourcefully. Adding parameters like any property possession, assistive family member or relative, and mentioning any government or well-wishers’ assistance would have been added to the upward connection. For Downward connection, much was explored that seems to outdo the upward connection. More of Upward connection was necessary in this case to produce an equilibrated outcome of networks and neighborhood disadvantage.
The idea of asking respondents about their friends, family members’ homeownership, education, and employment was sound in getting both an upward and downward connection. However, the relationship idea may produce bias results due to the relationship linked. For example, asking respondents about a criminal record or having a friend who gives birth before 18Years is not appealing, and revealing the truth may be difficult. Another issue is asking about a kin or friend’s network, especially where you know the social networks of him/her are extremely poor, leads to an unsound response or mechanism.