A study of an urban community and its children, 1890-1991. (Volumes I and II).
Item
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Title
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A study of an urban community and its children, 1890-1991. (Volumes I and II).
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Identifier
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AAI9405529
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identifier
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9405529
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Creator
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Gaster, Sanford.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Roger A. Hart
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Date
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1993
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Urban and Regional Planning | History, Modern | Sociology, Social Structure and Development
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Abstract
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The purpose of the dissertation is to advance a critical understanding of how a neighborhood environment can have changed since 1890 and to identify the consequences these changes have brought to children. Current problems in children's access to their communities thus are discussed in light of their origins and historical precedents; the problem of today is considered as the result of social processes as played out through time.;Urban children's access to their communities is explored here through a multidisciplinary approach, the three main components of which are as follows: (1) an analysis of the neighborhood environment; (2) an analysis of children's interaction with their neighborhood and (3) an historical inquiry into these factors.;The analysis of the neighborhood and of children's use of it are undertaken in light of current research into children's interaction with their environment. That body of research stresses children's need for freedom to encounter a broad range of environmental features, to develop "environmental competence," to have the chance to take reasonable risks while remaining free of constant overt danger, and to have recourse to free play as well as to organized, supervised play.;One urban community is used as a case study. Historical sources, such as documentary evidence and interviews (including oral history), were consulted to trace several trends in its development. These trends included: population; family income; race and ethnicity; provision of play and recreation facilities; community cohesion; community tension; level of municipal, federal and private involvement in community affairs; and children's actual use and perception of their community.;The data are analyzed qualitatively and presented in narrative form. Beginning with 1915, the data are grouped in fifteen-year segments (e.g., 1915-30; 1930-45; etc.). For each historical time period discussed, appropriate context is provided, followed by a critical discussion of the events that influenced the community. These are followed in turn by a presentation of informants' testimony of their experiences as children. An analytical concluding chapter seeks to synthesize the findings for that time period and derive insights into the problem.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
