The question of why people chose to move to different neighborhoods is clearly outlined by Sampson. In the text, Sampson states that, "Such decisions are influenced by resources, preferences, and changing life circumstances, but they are also conditioned by the interaction of an individual's race/ethnicity and social behaviors with the wider structural context that governs consequential life decisions." (p.288)
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Similar terms are used when speaking of the evolutionary process. Phrases such as "individual selection" in the text, remind me of "natural selection" a phrase that is always linked to biology. For those of us who need help remembering what natural selection is exactly here is a simple definition provided by our friends at kids.net.au. Natural selection is a natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms best adapted to the environment ("kids.net.au," 2013). Basically, animals do what they can to survive. One of basic methods of natural selection is how animals survive. For instance, migration is a method of survival for animals in order to continue their species.
A huge part of biology is migration of animals. Animals find ways to adapt but those who cannot choose to migrate. Migration is key for the survival of some animals. This is what I believe integrates biology with the idea of why people move to different neighborhoods. Animals such as birds, only migrate in favorable weather conditions and food availability. Birds are a prime example of a species that is known to move. Although animal migration is usually based upon seasonal or the availability of geographical variation of resources they move out of instinct. Therefore, like humans, animals have life changing circumstances that cause them to migrate from one place to another. For a human this may be a change in income or job location. For an animal the residential location may be based upon the food availability or the specific weather conditions needed for survival. Both humans and animals can be found in situations where they have the need to move for reasons that are essential for survival. In a sense, if you look at an individual who can no longer afford living in their home and has to downgrade to a smaller apartment in a different area of town. The individual must find more affordable housing or be forced to find other means of finding shelter.
In an attempt to integrate Spanish with these questions I found a piece in Sampson's chapter twelve that helped. The quote I referenced at the beginning of this blog post mentions that an individuals decision to move is "...also conditioned by the interaction of an individual's race/ethnicity..." (Sampson, p.288) The Panel Study of Income Dynamics collected data on where people move based upon their race and socioeconomic resources (Sampson, p.291) In his studies, Sampson finds that White's and Latinos choose to live in neighborhood where the African American population is smaller. And in turn African American's live in neighborhoods where the perceived disorder is higher. Latinos like to stick together and in a general sense, a couple latino families in a neighborhood can transform that neighborhood from one day to the next. A community here in St. George comes to mind, Dixie Downs. Ten years ago you would have seen a more caucasian population. Currently, there is a bilingual school that accommodates the surrounding mostly Latino community. The upward and downward mobility of an individual is often the result of the family structure, race, college education, income, etc. For instance, downward mobility as stated by Sampson in the text was associated with Race (African American) and if an individual owned a home. Race, for Latinos, is a big factor as to whether or not they will move into a certain neighborhood.
Sources Cited:
Sampson, R.J. (2012)Great American City: Chicago and the Enduring Neighborhood Effect. Chicago, University of Chicago Press.
Natural Selection. (2013). In Encyclopedia: Kids.Net.Au. Retrieved from http://dictionary.kids.net.au/word/natural_selection
I am also studying biology and I like your comment about migration because I can see how neighborhoods can change and develop because of it. I also think that people do go to places that they would feel comfortable and for a minority group like the latinos I see how it would be beneficial. However, Sampson showed that as people round in the city of chicago their yearly earnings seemed to drop. If people are moving to communities with people of their same race why do you think their yearly income would drop?
ReplyDeleteI always feel like I gather a valuable perspective after reading how you relate each response to biology. While doing the reading for this response, I was also reminded of natural selection, so I'm glad you pointed that out. I agree with your reasoning as well. I feel like it's fairly obvious why people move in and out of communities. People, like animals, "migrate" to areas where they can reap the highest amount of benefit for themselves and their families. Those benefits might include security, financial stability, educational resources, etc. Thanks for the insights!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Garett and Vig about you did a good job on relating biology to this blog response. Your comments actually help me understand Sampson's thought process through a different lens. You helped clear up some things for me. Migration of humans makes a whole lot more sense to after reading your comparison of it to animal migration.
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