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Essay / Inner City Communities Case Study - 1102
A widespread but very economical constraint that has hit inner city communities is the lack of financial income. Studies have identified "registration, equipment, and travel costs" as major deterrents to low-income and single-income families' lack of participation in recreational activities (Hughes et al, 1992). Although many programs are offered free of charge, paid programs discourage youth from low-income families from participating (Torrance, 1998). Many downtown areas do not offer recreational programs to their residents within the community, forcing residents to seek recreational activities elsewhere. This results in additional investments in time and transportation costs, as many low-income families cannot afford a car (Hughes et al, 1992). This creates pressure on single-parent families with more than one child, as they struggle to find programs suitable for different ages and in different locations (Hughes et al, 1992). Another socio-economic constraint that has greatly impacted recreational activities in inner-city communities is the lack of facilities and space for community centers. Residents of low-income communities often reside in neighborhoods that lack the resources necessary to facilitate positive recreational participation. A study concerning the