Dd101

Drawing on what you have learned from the Making social lives DVD and Learning companion 1, describe some inequalities on City Road.



The term inequalities refer to the unequal distribution of valuable social resources in this case it relates to resources such as time, money and facilities (Learning companion 1, Blakely et al, 2012, pg24). More specifically this essay aims to highlight some of the inequalities that can be found on City road, Cardiff.


Colin Buttwell who owns the newsagents on City road talks about his financial struggle since Tesco’s had been built close by “It knocked me a bit the Tesco’s opening two blocks up” (Making social lives, 2009, scene 3). In order for Colin to attempt to keep up with Tesco, he would have to both vary and increase his product range. This creates an inequality of economic resources as comparative to Tesco; Colin does not have the space or the financial capability to do either, Tesco’s have access to better economic resources creating the unfair balance of power between Supermarkets versus smaller establishments.


  Perception plays a part in some inequalities on City road by causing the exclusion of certain groups of people. City road has many facilities, none of which deliberately aim to exclude a particular group of people but its many bars, restaurants and takeaways do aim to attract younger people by staying open until the early hours of the morning. Pool hall is an example of one of the places where students and young people often spend time in the evenings. The activities that are undertaken by younger people such as drinking etc may be perceived by older people as intimidating or threatening and so they will avoid places such as Pool hall and many other places on City road, particularly in the evening. (learning companion 1, Blakeley et al, 2012, pg 26).
Even the younger residents of City road claim that they too feel intimidated at night and do not feel safe, even though that feeling is created...