Distinguishing Between Ghettos & Slums

The key difference between a ghetto and a slum is that a ghetto is typically a poor urban area where a minority group resides, whereas a slum is a squalid and overcrowded area inhabited by very poor people. Both terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a distinct difference between the two.

Key Takeaways

• A ghetto is characterized by the people who live there, specifically those from a particular race or religion.
• A slum is characterized by the condition of the housing and is typically marked by decrepit housing units and deteriorated or incomplete infrastructure.
• While ghettos may contain a specific minority group, slums can consist of a mixture of ethnicities.

A ghetto is a poor urban area where people of a particular race or religion live closely together, apart from other people. This is usually due to social, legal, or economic pressure. Ghettos have various versions across the world, with each having their own names, classifications, and groupings of people. People living in ghettos usually belong to low-income families.

A slum, on the other hand, is a squalid and overcrowded area inhabited by very poor people. They include closely-packed decrepit housing units with deteriorated or incomplete infrastructure. Some common features of slums include lack of proper sanitation, clean water supply, reliable electricity, and other basic services. Slums form due to various reasons, such as rapid rural-to-urban migration, high unemployment, poverty, economic stagnation, and more.

In summary, a ghetto is defined by the people who live in the area, while a slum is defined by the condition of the housing. The main difference between a ghetto and a slum is that a ghetto is a poor urban area where a minority group lives, whereas a slum is a squalid and overcrowded area inhabited by very poor people.