THE INFLUENCE OF URBAN-RURAL ORIENTATION, LENGTH OF RESIDENCE AND LEVEL OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ON SOCIAL INTERACTION IN THE URBAN-RURAL FRINGE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK
THE INFLUENCE OF URBAN-RURAL ORIENTATION, LENGTH OF RESIDENCE AND LEVEL OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ON SOCIAL INTERACTION IN THE URBAN-RURAL FRINGE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK
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Date
1969-09
Authors
Durrani, Tariq Masud
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Abstract
The urban-rural fringe in the metropolitan areas of the United
States seems to be experiencing the same cycle of growth as the suburbs
did in the past: a progression from rural to mixed rural-urban to suburban
land uses and an infusion of an urbanized life style. The crucial
point, however, is not that the areas become "suburbs" but that they
become integrated with the city.
Since these communities undergo a change in their character while
in the process of transformation from rural to "suburban," it is believed
that changes also take place in the amount and nature of social interaction
in these communities. Questions have been raised regarding
whether or not social life would be disrupted in rapidly growing fringe
communities. Would social interaction continue with friends and relatives
in the place of origin or will new patterns rapidly develop? Such
questions are of great importance for an understanding of the current
trends in present fringe and for planning of future development.
This study analyzed social interaction in the context of three
different communities at various levels of fringe development. One of
these areas was in an early stage of development, another one in an advanced
stage and the third area was in the final stage of development
toward suburbanization and integration into the metropolitan area.
It is to be expected that the amount of social interaction in the
fringe is influenced by one's community orientation (rural or urban)
and length of residence in an area. It is known that rural- and urbanoriented
people differ in the amount and type of social interaction they
engage in, and that over a period of time not only do the fringe areas
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develop in terms of changes in social patterns but the level of interaction
also changes for individual residents with increased time in the
area.
It was found that in general the length of residence had greater
Influence on the amount of social interaction than community orientation.
In the most developed of the three areas, even this distinction faded
out. Generally, socioeconomic status and stage in the family life cycle
had only small effect on the amount of interaction in these areas. However,
in some specific aspects of social interaction, variations were
found arising from differential community orientation and length of
residence.
Generally, in all areas studied, people in the "high" socioeconomic
class showed greater institutional participation than those in the "middle"
or "low" classes. In the more developed areas, the middle aged
respondents showed greater institutional participation than the young
and the aged. However, in the less developed area, participation levels
were less clearly influenced by family life cycle stage.
Most respondents, regardless of community orientation, socioeconomic
class or stage in the family life cycle, expressed great satisfaction
with fringe residence.
The present day fringe area is far from being an "institutional
desert." Those who have opted to live there become part of the community
to a great extent. Long-time residents seemed to be more active in the
social life of the area while newcomers were more active in its institutional
life. Higher levels of development of a community have been
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shown to reduce the differences between rural- and urban-oriented
residents in various specific aspects of social interaction and institutional
participation.
Description
A Thesis
Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School
of Cornell University for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
September, 1969
Keywords
INFLUENCE,, URBAN-RURAL ORIENTATION,, LENGTH,, RESIDENCE,, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT,, SOCIAL INTERACTION,, FRINGE,, UPSTATE NEW YORK