neighborhood-effects
The influence of local social environments on individual behaviors, particularly youth outcomes like crime, drug use, and educational attainment.
2 chapters across 1 book
Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community (2000)Robert D. Putnam
Chapter 18 explores the relationship between social capital and neighborhood safety, demonstrating that communities with strong social networks, trust, and citizen engagement experience lower crime rates and better child development outcomes. It highlights criminological theories on social disorganization and Jane Jacobs' insights on urban design fostering social capital, and presents empirical evidence linking social capital to reduced violence and improved social behaviors. The chapter also discusses regional variations in violence, particularly in the American South, and examines neighborhood effects on youth behavior, emphasizing the critical role of social capital in shaping community well-being.
Chapter 18 explores the relationship between social capital and neighborhood safety and productivity, emphasizing that higher social capital correlates strongly with lower crime rates, particularly murder. It reviews extensive empirical research on neighborhood effects, social disorganization theory, and collective efficacy, highlighting how social networks, community engagement, and family management influence crime and youth development. The chapter also discusses the role of gangs, kin networks, and community organizations in shaping urban neighborhood dynamics and crime prevention.