Neighbourhood effects and cultural exclusion

The idea of neighbourhood effects implies that the demographic context of p oor neighbourhoods instills 'dysfunctional' norms, values and behaviours in to youths, triggering a cycle of social pathology. It is argued that neighb ourhood effects are part of a wider discourse of inner-city marginality tha t stereotypes inner-city neighbourhoods. Reflecting upon arguments made in the existing literature, the ideological underpinnings of the idea of neigh bourhood effects are revealed. Essentialist conceptions of neighbourhood cu lture among employers, educators and institutional staff contribute to the neighbourhood effects phenomenon. It is also suggested that researchers and policy-makers must recognise wider forces of cultural differentiation and exclusion.