| Abstrakt: |
This article tackles the problems of suburban movement. By the declarations of suburbanites themselves small children have been named as the primary source of social contact and antagonism. This perspective of community life offers unique opportunities for analysis. Primary barriers to physical contact and social interaction are almost entirely lacking in some of the larger suburban residential developments. In fact, in many areas they are formally or informally prohibited. In addition, the secondary barriers of typical urban residence are completely absent. It is not surprising then, that one meets his neighbor primarily because small children are allowed to wander freely and frequently disturb the suburban routine. However, the development of a pattern of interaction is more subtle than mere sudden contact through the children. On the other hand, a number of writers have suggested that the modifications of formal organizations to the demands of a large majority of youngsters are equally as pronounced. In some areas community-wide babysitting clubs have been set up. Occasionally such organizations have been inter-faith experiments, with Christians sitting on Friday evenings and Jews on Sunday mornings. |
