Sex Discrimination Michael Itagaki Sociology 102, Social Problems.
Urban Problems Michael Itagaki Sociology 102, Social Problems.
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Transcript of Urban Problems Michael Itagaki Sociology 102, Social Problems.
The Sociological Perspective
The Global Urban movement 200 years ago, 3% lived in towns of
5,000 or more Today, half live in cities
In 1800, 6% of Americans lived in towns 2,500 or more
Today, 4 of 5 Americans live in cities
Figure 12.1 (p. 390)U.S. Population, Rural and UrbanSource: By the author, based on U.S. Bureau of the Census; Statistical Abstract of the United States 2003: Table 30. The projections from 200 to 2110 are by the author.
The Sociological Perspective
Evolution of Cities Agriculture
City: Large number of people who live in one place and don’t produce their own food
Development of plow, led to agricultural surplus
Industrial revolution of 1700s and 1800s sparked an urban revolution
The Sociological Perspective
Cities as Solutions Transcend limitations of farm/village Better access to work, education
Cities as Problems Difficult for people to find community Some find community in the city,
others find alienation, isolation, fear
Scope of the Problem Antiurban Bias What is Urban about Urban
Problems? City life increases social problems Urban crisis Urban sprawl
Symbolic Interaction Whyte’s Study: Street Corner
Society (1943) College Boys, Corner Boys,
Subcultures Suttles’ study
Race/ethnicity differences Anderson’s study
Regulars, wineheads, hoodlums Code of the Street
Symbolic Interaction Gentrification
Process where affluent displace poor “Improvements” to properties Increase in property value Poor can no longer afford to live there
Figure 12.4 (p. 397)Burgess' Concentric Zone Theory of the Growth of the CitySource: From Ernest W. Burgess. "The Growth of the City: An Introduction to a Research Project" in The City. Robert E. Park, Ernest W. Burgess, and Roderick D. McKenzie, eds. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1925. (Pages 47-62 in the 1967 edition). Reprinted with the permission of the University of Chicago Press.
Functionalism Burgess (1925) theory of
concentric zones Five zones
Mobility Commute to work, school,
recreation Move to live in better zones Invasion-Succession cycle
Displacement vs. feeling unwelcome
Functionalism Burgess (1925) theory of
concentric zones Five zones
Mobility Zone Transition and social
problems Zone II, city’s poverty is
concentrated Regeneration (urban renewal)
Conflict Theory Class conflict: Objectives of the
wealthy vs. the poor City used to be only center of industry Advent of the highways
Manufacture products in outlying areas Moving jobs away from city
Paradoxical paradigm downtown
Bowling Alone Discussion: Read edited press
release for Putnam’s book Are we becoming less social and
more individualistic? Why do you think so? Cite some examples you observe to
support your argument