The Urban Poor of Puerto Rico: A Study in Development and Inequality

by Helen I. Safa

Studies Los Peloteros, a San Juan shantytown, noting migration patterns, kinship structure, culture, social relationships, economic conditions, and the effects of urban renewal

116 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Wolf · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was neither particularly insightful, nor well written. From an anthropolitical point of view, she was too etic, considering she was not an anthropologist at the time she wrote it. Dr. Safa's various charts, placed throughout, were valuable, but overall this was incredibly dull - even for nonfiction. The same concepts were repeatedly referred to, all over the place, and it was a bit disprganized for me. On the good side, it provided a picture of the urban poor (even if it was a fuzzy one) and I learned enough to use it for my classes. Her list of references in the back were well put together.