Beyond Cornerstores, Crime and Sweatshops: Debunking the Myths and Recognizing the Influence of Culture in the Economic Development Process

Culture affects almost every aspect of an individual's life, from social and familial behavior and values, to motivations and identity. Traditional methods of economic development have not included a consideration of cultural influences at the initial data collection and analysis stages and consequently the role and impact of culture is not properly reflected in subsequent economic development strategies. This thesis is concerned with developing a framework for integrating the influence of culture into the economic development process, and challenging stereotypes about cultural groups in general, and their economic activity in particular. The framework consists of eight variables: assimilation, class, education, intended duration of stay in America, family, community, economic activity, and consumer consumption. The literature on each variable was reviewed and the most important issues in relation to economic development were highlighted. The framework was applied to East Boston in order to augment already existing socio-economic data for the area. It was found that contrary to common perception, cultural groups residing in East Boston are not homogenous, and that variation exists within groups in many areas including: language, education and region of origin. It was demonstrated that the social class of a group or individual, not their cultural background, is often the explanatory variable for behaviors, beliefs and motivations. Furthermore, it was found that many characteristics are common among members of different cultural groups in East Boston, who are in the same social class. Finally, it was proven that the economic success or failure of different cultural groups is due in large part to the immigration experience itself, not innate cultural characteristics. Thesis Supervisor: Phil Clay Title: Professor ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I have been truly privileged to have the opportunity to write this thesis. I wish to thank and acknowledge the individuals who assisted me along the way. My husband Stephen who made significant personal and financial sacrifices in order to allow me the luxury of furthering my education. My family: parents Franco and Caterina who supported me in innumerable ways and edited my drafts; and sister Barbara who made many moral support phonecalls. My thesis group: Sophia, Liz and especially Mike and Sara for convincing me to ditch my sensible topic and follow my heart. My advisor Phil Clay who was patient while he guided me through the painful process of crafting and clarifying my topic. My reader Leticia Rivera-Torres for her penetrating analysis, useful feedback, and unabashed, contagious enthusiasm. Phil Giffey at NOAH who assisted me in figuring out what it was I wanted to learn about East Boston. Jennifer Doctor at the East Boston Chamber of Commerce who spent a lot time and effort helping me to understand the intricacies of the East Boston business community. The people in East Boston who I interviewed and who provided me with such rich information from which to learn. John Avault at the Boston Redevelopment Authority for some impossible to find data, which he found and shared with me. Finally, Professor Wanda Bernard of the Maritime School of Social Work who first raised my consciousness to issues of culture. Had it not been for her, this thesis could have been about property taxation.