Through the eyes of children: Students' evaluations of urban African American neighborhoods.

摘要

Academic interest in urban issues in the United States grew rapidly since sociologist William Julius Wilson introduced his theory of concentration effects and social isolation in The Truly Disadvantaged (1987). Because he identified problems that affected families and children, social scientists attempted to determine what effects living in a disadvantaged/impoverished neighborhood had on children's outcomes. While many studies examine negative aspects of impoverished neighborhoods and the extent to which neighborhood contexts put them "at-risk," this study considers children's own perceptions of their neighborhoods and whether or not those perceptions vary based on neighborhood characteristics.; The participants were 255 students aged 8 to 15 years old who answered the Community Attitude Questionnaire (CAQ), a 44-item questionnaire that included both Likert-type and open-ended items. This study has far-reaching implications for urban neighborhoods as well as for a large proportion of African Americans residing in them. If children perceive their neighborhoods as undesirable, then they may become less attached and less committed to their neighborhoods. Although leaving an "unattractive" neighborhood may seem to be the answer for addressing an individual or family's discontent, retaining children as future adult members of neighborhoods may help to strengthen or (re)build urban neighborhoods. On the other hand, if children view their neighborhoods positively, then researchers may be able to identify sources of strength and resilience.; The respondents had moderate to high levels of Community Pride and Community Responsibility, citing positive people and interactions as the best thing about their neighborhoods. Many listed the physical plant of their neighborhoods as some of the top changes they would make, and a large proportion of students listed crime, nuisances, and danger as the worst aspect of their neighborhoods.; Chapter 1 proposes to situate the current study into the history of research on poverty. Chapter 2 discusses the controversy around social science and African American families and children. Chapter 3 reviews literature on urban poverty and neighborhood effects. Chapter 4 describes the methodology of the study. Chapter 5 reports the results of the study. Chapter 6 discusses both the quantitative and qualitative results of the study and implications for further research.