Pearse house. Yay or nay?

floraldilemma1

Hi,

I was wondering if you could help me. I'm 21 & have been living in a refuge with my daughter the last couple of years. I recently was informed by DCC that I will most likely be made an offer of Pearse or Markievicz house! I'm a bit anxious as they seem to be flat city.

A bit of background,
I'm originally from a quite well to do area, but on discovering I was pregnant in my teens,was disowned by my family, hence why I live in a refuge. My refuge is great (I'm sad to be leaving), I have a self contained appartment in an old Georgian house in a nice area of Dublin. Only 4 other girls live here as well.

Can anyone give me a bit of information about These two flats? Are they rough? Would they be safe after dark?

Many thanks,
A x

coolemon

Im not totally informed about the process of social housing allocation, but I assume you get to choose which area you wish to be offered housing in? - and by which case you chose D2 or a city centre location?

AFAIK you can turn down an offer three times, but I guess you are aware of that.

I cant comment on those particular offers you mention, but it would be worth taking a stroll past at different times to see the 'composition' of the flats to guage the types of people there.

One thing that I think parents should know, and particularly those with a difficult decision like the one you are faced with, is that where you choose to be housed can have a significant consequence on your childs life chances. For example the probability of them getting involved in crime, drug abuse, dropping out of school early, getting pregnant early and so on, will increase and decrease depending where you choose. You dont want any of these things happening to your child, but there is an increased likelyhood and tendency of these occuring depending on where your child will grow up, and consequently, who they befriend and hang around with. Similarly, their educational aspirations and performance will be affected. This is particularly relevant:

"Firstly, middle class families often develop – sometimes in a very conscious manner – wider social networks that can help to socialise their children into particular educational norms (this can be contrasted with the significantly more limited networks typical of working class families – see Lareau, 2002). Indeed, she cites many examples from her study of middle class parents taking steps to ensure that their children socialised with other middle class children of educated parents. These community relations can then reinforce family practices and influence by adding additional social pressures to work hard, succeed academically and gain entry to high status forms of university education.Moreover, in some cases, these social networks ‘were pivotal in the creation of cultural capital in thatlocal relationships often raised children’s educational and occupational aspirations above and beyond those of their parents’" - http://www.academia.edu/1168507/Accessing_higher_education_the_influence_of_cultural_and_social_capital_on_university_choice

You are in a situation where you have very limited options available. But do try consider the above when making the choice about where you want to settle down and raise your child, and do as much research on the area as you can to find out relevant information tot he above. I guess this is part of that!

But on topic, I have driven by Pearse house a few times and it seems quiet enough. I would say the general area around has improved a lot over the years with new apartment blocks being built in the immediate area and with a greater diversity of people. A low level gentrification.

Pearse house would seem good as far as social housing flat complexes go. It was not earmarked for demolition afaik so the upkeep has been maintained unlike St. tereasa's and o deavany gardens, charlemont street and so forth. There is social houses out there that are a far less desirable place to live and bring up a child, so dont think it is any less because they are flats.

Hope that helps!

dangerus06

One thing that I think parents should know, and particularly those with a difficult decision like the one you are faced with, is that where you choose to be housed can have a significant consequence on your childs life chances. For example the probability of them getting involved in crime, drug abuse, dropping out of school early, getting pregnant early and so on, will increase and decrease depending where you choose. You dont want any of these things happening to your child, but there is an increased likelyhood and tendency of these occuring depending on where your child will grow up, and consequently, who they befriend and hang around with. Similarly, their educational aspirations and performance will be affected. This is particularly relevant:

well said
best of look to op

spurious

coolemon wrote: »

One thing that I think parents should know, and particularly those with a difficult decision like the one you are faced with, is that where you choose to be housed can have a significant consequence on your childs life chances. For example the probability of them getting involved in crime, drug abuse, dropping out of school early, getting pregnant early and so on, will increase and decrease depending where you choose. You dont want any of these things happening to your child, but there is an increased likelyhood and tendency of these occuring depending on where your child will grow up, and consequently, who they befriend and hang around with. Similarly, their educational aspirations and performance will be affected. This is particularly relevant:

Having taught in the inner city for almost 30 years, I would suggest in the absence of positive parental influence these things can take a hold, but the over-riding influence as to whether they will or not will be the parental influence and involvement.

There are plenty fine law-abiding families in certain 'not so good' areas whose children stay on in school and do well. Unfortunately the first thing many of them do is then move out of the area, but the area is down the list of influencing factors, behind parenting.

For a bright achieving child, it can be a plus to be living in certain areas and attending local schools as resources are better and they also get access to schemes such as HEAR and other localised support and scholarship schemes.

Anto McC

I'm was born in Pearse house flats and still live beside them now, which is also right beside Markievicz or "Marko" as its known locally.

Like most flat complexes, they have an anti social element but one that would be tame compared to other flat complexes. As I've always maintained, you'll only find trouble if you are looking for it. Keep your head down and you'll be grand.

Of the two I'd Markievicz is the quieter.

Hope this helps