Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I know the title is misleading, because there have been alot of children in NYC already, plus they talk about Manhattan anyway, not all of NYC. But they are talking about white children (and rich) in this case.
I've been pointing out that this has been going on for a while. The white population is increasing in both Manhattan and Brooklyn, this is a reversal of a trend for the first time since at least the 1950s. The black population is leaving NYC, the hispanic population has stabilized, and Asians continue to grow.
I am just waiting to see whether any of this will outlast the current recession. It will be interesting to see if a lot of white people leave because of the downturn in the market.
I sincerely doubt the white people that are moving back to the city will be the ones leaving. Those that are most vulnerable to a downturn in the economy are the ones that are least equipped to handle the changes....i.e. the least educated, the least financially secure, the least skilled, etc....and not the moneyed crowd that is buying back into communities.
The fact remains that the downturn in the economy will be felt hardest in this city by people of color. They will be the first laid off / not hired, they typically have the least experience, education, and are the first to go. Sure some high end professionals will be laid off...or get no rais/no bonus....but they have the resources, networks, skills to do just fine. The city is no longer a good choice for the immigrant poor to make money, support a large family...etc...nor is it a good choice for the lower/blue collar/working classes to live, grow, save money, etc. The significant growth of West and Southern cities, and similar wages for the lower/blue/working classes in these areas that offer immensely better quality of life means that peolple of color will continue to exit the city for greener pastures....whereas the city is now the greener pasture for the moneyed crowd.
If there is a real recession and significant downturn, which has not been assured, then it will in fact accelerate the exodus of people of color, as work will dry up. We are already seeing the deceleration of construction having an effect on the immigrant laborers, NOT on demand from moneyed buyers of luxury condos. As the economy falters in the city...people of color will continue to leave...and I suspect that IF the 2010 census demonstrates a net loss of people of color, and a net gain of whites...all heck will break loose and it will be viewed as a signifcant trend and EVERYONE will want ANY piece of the city before it all gets bought up and priced out...my 2 cents.
What makes this phenomenon unique is that these would be socially liberal whites. My son's girl friend works at a left leaning law firm in midtown and tells me that it is seen as a measure of wealth to have three or more kids. So while in some respects it's a marked change from the liberal position of the 1970's,80's and 90's, i many respects it's not. The underlying theme seems to be having kids is still all about self edification and how the children reflect on the parents material success not on the well being of those children and how they will reflect on their parents as social beings.
Yeah no doubt a lot of the rich little kids will grow up to be brats, but they will still be growing up here, thats the point.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.