Living in the Suburb
Descriptions of the suburb range from the "bedroom communit/,' and "patches of green grass" to the "end of the traffic jam" where "children can be raised in more freedom." The community climate of the suburb Is determined largely by economics. Since people at the
same income levels tend to congregate together, the range of lifestyles from rich to poor does not exist. The curve has been smoothed out; there is a great deal of sameness. Thus, some communities are made up almost exclusively of families with children; others may be retirement communities with no children.
One suburb may exhibit material abundance, the dream community where many aspire to live in a style of luxury. Another may provide a life-style where the conspicuous display of money is frowned upon. Even in a single neighborhood, an item which is quite acceptable on one block might be regarded as flagrant showing off on another. True, the suburb is filled with problems and conflicts, as is any other community, but here the family may have a little more control over its life-style than one might find elsewhere. Many suburbs have become a melting pot of people with a variety of interests and backgrounds. As a growing pattern of commt:nity living, suburbia is helping to set its own life-style.
What may be a threat to onz community, such as the moving in of a minority group, may prove to an asset to another. Racial or ethnic discrimination and social or economic stratification, with their related fears and resentments, help determine community patterns. The community not only contributes to the securit".or insecurity of the individual, but is a place where behaviors can be manifested through informal organizations.
