Agency, place, scale: representations of inner-city youth identities.

Abstract Geographers are in a special position to comment on the role of neighbourhood representations in the marginalisation of urban minorities. This paper examines the impact of representations of place on the production of inner-city youth identifies. It argues that the spatial scale of representation is a crucial element in the production of marginal identity, and investigates whether switching scale is a viable option for escaping this identity. Linking the concepts of structure and agency to the notions of ideology and identity, it applies a theoretical argument to empirical contexts of representation and identity formation. Results from semi-structured interviews with local youths and institutional administrators in an inner-city neighbourhood of San Antonio, Texas, illustrate how place- and scale-particular ideologies intervene in processes of youth identity formation. While overlying scales of place enables the social exclusion of youths, jumping scales does not empower individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]