Urban, Suburban, Rural life

There have been interesting shifts in the location of residence for much of the United States population. Since about the World War II, period, there has been a dramatic increase in suburbanization, or the development of suburbia, that is areas of housing outside of inner cities. This may be explained by the decline of rural areas since agricultural industries have declined and people have sought more personal and professional opportunities by leaving rural areas. The exodus of young people from rural areas explains the phenomenon called aging in place where rural areas have disproportionately greater populations of older people, and because there are such few young people there, it is unlikely that babies will be born to replace the declining population. Suburbanization can also be explained by the decline in urban areas. Particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, suburbanization was stimulated by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA)’s assistance in mortgage loans, which allowed people to own homes in suburbs for less money than renting a residence in a city. Additionally, the mass production of automobiles and development of roadways enabled commuting and further encouraged people to move outwards from cities in order to enjoy better housing, schools, and amenities. This suburbanization trend has continued today and minorities are more present in suburbs, although the suburbs are still about 2/3 white. 

I have lived in both suburban and urban areas. When describing a city, I definitely agree that it is a map of contrasting areas with distinct characteristics, as Introduction to Sociology states. For example, I lived in Washington D.C. and noticed that the Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast portions of the city were all vastly different from one another. I also noticed that the poorer or more affluent sections were concentrated in specific and seemingly contained areas. For example, southeast is known for its poverty, whereas northwest is known more for its affluence and national monuments. I think this is an interesting demonstration for the theories of the effects of job opportunities vs. housing segregation on poverty as Wilson and Massey/Denton debate. I think these sociologists each have valid points, but I do think housing segregation is powerfully isolating and helps continue the cycle of poverty by not promoting social mobility and improvement. One might not believe this to be true, but if one witnesses how sections of poverty are like pieces of a different world, one can understand how this might feel like a completely different, cut-off world where the same principles of opportunity and equality are not applied to people. 

Additionally, in the suburbs, I have noticed a greater variety of people. While Introduction to Sociology emphasizes increased minority populations in the suburbs, I would like to argue that this is not necessarily relevant because I think the population has shifted in general. There has been in an increase in the diversity of our population, so an increase of minorities in the suburbs might not mean that there are less in urban areas so much as there are just more minorities living in the United States. Also, increased minorities in the suburbs does not mean that urban areas are less poor. I don't think living in an urban vs. suburban environment is that strong of an economic or class indicator. Living in one place over the other does not mean a person is wealthier or poorer, it just adjusts their budgets and opportunities.

Introduction to Sociology states that scholars are debating about the importance of the distinction between a city and a suburb, and I think that in certain areas this distinction is hardly definable. Cities and surrounding neighborhoods seem to mesh into one, which is why the term “metropolitan area” has become one of my favorites to describe such a general area, and sociologists are using it more and more too. 

In summary, yes, I agree that there is an increase in suburbanization, an increase in the diversity of the population (though isn’t this happening in general anyway?) a decline in rural areas, and a seemingly perpetual challenge of poverty and urban decay. 

Picture of suburbia!