suburbanism

This term refers to social and cultural characteristics which some sociologists have claimed typify suburban residents. Accounts of suburbanism as a way of life differ widely but commonly refer to the dominance of younger, middle-class, and family-oriented patterns of work and social life; a high level of social activity based on friendship rather than kinship networks; and a considerable degree of uniformity, even conformity, in style of life. A series of studies-notably by the American sociologists Herbert Gans and Bennett Berger-largely undermined these claims, showing that suburban areas vary considerably in class and age composition, and in patterns of social life, so that suburban life-styles and social relations are not determined by physical location (‘suburbia’) as such. Like the ‘folk’ and ‘urban’ ideal-types, the suburban ideal-type is largely a myth. The best general overview of this literature is, Suburbia (1972). For an interesting case-study of processes of social control in the suburbs see, The Moral Order of a Suburb (1988). See also organization man ; suburbanization.