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Neighbourhood Effects in Canada: A Critique

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  • Philip Oreopoulos

Abstract

A growing number of researchers and policy-makers concern themselves with the possible effects of living in areas with high concentrations of poverty. This paper provides an overview of such literature from a Canadian policy perspective. I draw three conclusions. First, household exposure to concentrated poverty is substantially less than in the United States. Second, much of the existing Canadian research on neighbourhood effects relies on regression analysis, which is prone to bias and misinterpretation. Third, the most persuasive research to date suggests that residential environment matters most to an individual's mental health and exposure to crime, but has little influence on self-sufficiency or child development. Smaller spheres of interaction, such as at the classroom or roommate level, appear to matter more.

Suggested Citation

  • Philip Oreopoulos, 2008. "Neighbourhood Effects in Canada: A Critique," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 34(2), pages 237-258, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:cpp:issued:v:34:y:2008:i:2:p:237-258
    DOI: 10.3138/cpp.34.2.237
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    Cited by:

    1. Kelly Foley, 2012. "Can neighbourhoods change the decisions of youth on the margins of university participation?," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 45(1), pages 167-188, February.
    2. Eric Maurin & Julie Moschion, 2009. "The Social Multiplier and Labor Market Participation of Mothers," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 1(1), pages 251-272, January.
    3. Alexandre Mas & Enrico Moretti, 2009. "Peers at Work," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 99(1), pages 112-145, March.
    4. Simone Scarpa, 2015. "The impact of income inequality on economic residential segregation: The case of Malmö, 1991–2010," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 52(5), pages 906-922, April.
    5. Wen-Hao Chen & John Myles & Garnett Picot, 2012. "Why Have Poorer Neighbourhoods Stagnated Economically while the Richer Have Flourished? Neighbourhood Income Inequality in Canadian Cities," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 49(4), pages 877-896, March.
    6. Leslie Roos & Brett Hiebert & Phongsack Manivong & Jason Edgerton & Randy Walld & Leonard MacWilliam & Janelle Rocquigny, 2013. "What is Most Important: Social Factors, Health Selection, and Adolescent Educational Achievement," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 110(1), pages 385-414, January.
    7. Fagg, James H. & Curtis, Sarah E. & Cummins, Steven & Stansfeld, Stephen A. & Quesnel-Vallée, Amélie, 2013. "Neighbourhood deprivation and adolescent self-esteem: Exploration of the ‘socio-economic equalisation in youth’ hypothesis in Britain and Canada," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 168-177.
    8. Philip Oreopoulos & Robert S. Brown & Adam M. Lavecchia, 2017. "Pathways to Education: An Integrated Approach to Helping At-Risk High School Students," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 125(4), pages 947-984.

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