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14: Urban and Rural Problems

  • Page ID
    14493
    • Anonymous
    • LibreTexts

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    • 14.1: A Brief History of Urbanization
      This page discusses the impact of urbanization on social, political, and economic life, highlighting health issues due to poor sanitation in early cities. The 19th-century U.S. urban surge, driven by immigration and industrialization, led to overcrowded conditions and documented corruption. Global trends show wealthier nations are more urbanized, while poorer countries face rapid urbanization, creating both opportunities and challenges like inadequate housing and sanitation.
    • 14.2: Sociological Perspectives on Urbanization
      This page examines urbanization through three sociological perspectives: functionalism, which sees cities as both beneficial and problematic; conflict theory, which highlights social disparities and power dynamics; and symbolic interactionism, focusing on individual experiences.
    • 14.3: Problems of Urban Life
      This page examines the complexities of urban life in U.S. cities, highlighting vibrant culture alongside significant challenges such as fiscal crises, poor health outcomes in impoverished neighborhoods, substandard housing, and high rates of homelessness. With over 12 million households facing housing instability, issues of racial segregation exacerbate poverty and crime. Additionally, urban areas experience elevated crime rates due to overcrowding and structural factors.
    • 14.4: Problems of Rural Life
      This page discusses the advantages and challenges of rural life in the U.S. Benefits include open space, lower crime rates, and cleaner air, while significant challenges involve limited public transportation, healthcare access, and high poverty rates. Domestic violence is a critical issue, with victims facing hurdles in seeking help due to few resources and insufficient law enforcement response.
    • 14.5: Improving Urban and Rural Life
      This page examines urban housing and crowding issues from a sociological perspective, linking them to social inequalities of class, race, and gender. It stresses the need for affordable housing and the resolution of racial segregation to support urban residents. Furthermore, it contrasts urban problems with rural challenges, such as healthcare access due to isolation, highlighting the necessity for tailored solutions that consider the specific social contexts of both urban and rural environments.
    • 14.6: End-of-Chapter Material
      This page discusses the historical context and implications of urbanization, highlighting its growth from ancient times through the Industrial Revolution. It outlines social challenges like overcrowding, pollution, and crime in urban areas, contrasted with rural decline. Various theoretical perspectives on urbanization are presented, showing differing views between functionalists and conflict theorists.


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