This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Guest, A. M. Articles by Cover, J. K. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Heterogeneity and Harmony: Neighbouring Relationships among Whites in Ethnically Diverse Neighbourhoods in Seattle

Department of Sociology, Box 353340, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-3340, USA, peto{at}u.washington.edu

Charis E. Kubrin

Department of Sociology, 409 Phillips Hall, George Washington University, 801 22nd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA, charisk{at}gwu.edu

Jane K. Cover

Department of Sociology, Box 353340, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-3340, USA, janec{at}u.washington.edu

Does ethnic heterogeneity in neighbourhoods create co-operative or conflict-oriented relationships among residents? Social theorists have long noted both the positive and negative aspects of heterogeneity, but the limited research on large samples of neighbourhoods documents ambiguous or weak effects. In this survey-based study of Seattle, it is found that ethnic heterogeneity is among the strongest community characteristics that negatively predict the degree to which Whites view neighbour relations as calm, trusting and helpful. In addition, it is found that Whites in heterogeneous neighbourhoods are somewhat less likely than other Whites to report that they would miss the neighbourhood if they moved away. However, the negative effects of heterogeneity should be interpreted cautiously. Residents of heterogeneous areas do not view their neighbour relationships as unacceptable on an absolute scale. Moreover, much of the tendency for Whites to have low sentimental ties in diverse neighbourhoods is found to be due to the relatively lower level of affluence and newer age of these areas.

Urban Studies, Vol. 45, No. 3, 501-526 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0042098007087333


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?