My second autoethnography will focus on the difference between children growing up in an urban environment and those growing up in a suburban/rural environment. More specifically, I want to focus on how the two groups form social ties and friend groups and explore the causes for the similarities or differences. I grew up in New York City, and my friendships and social circles were all a result of the environment. However, the urban-dweller’s social interactions, behaviors, habits, and comforts may seem foreign and incomprehensible to those who are not used to the constant presence of people, machines, and movements. On the other hand, the peace and privacy that are present outside of urban areas seem equally foreign to me. Ultimately, I want to understand whether or not the fairly drastic differences in environments affect one’s ability to form friendships and join social circles.
I will use research from several academic circles, including urban and rural sociology, childhood psychology, and socioeconomic studies in order to find an answer to my question. In addition to these, I will interview three interview subjects, one from New York City, one from rural Arkansas, and one who has lived both in New York and in suburban Pennsylvania. By comparing the interviewees’ stories and the research, I believe I will be able to find a satisfying conclusion. I hope that, by exploring this topic, I will be able to teach my readers some of the hidden effects that one’s environment has on him or her, and to provide them with a context for their own upbringing. |