The Philadelphia Inquirersunday April 5 1998southwest Philadelphiah
The Philadelphia Inquirer, Sunday, April 5, 1998, Southwest Philadelphia. How where we live shapes who we are and how we view the world around us. The 2000 block of Cecil Street is a tiny thoroughfare nestled between 57th and 58th Streets, and Kingsessing and Greenway Avenues in Southwest Philadelphia. Nearly 30 years have passed since I called it my home and 20 since I’ve as much as driven its length. I hear it has fallen on hard times. In the 1960s, it was a world that provided a young Irish Catholic boy an environment rich in stability, warmth, and security the likes of which my own children are likely never to know.
1. Perhaps the most significant trait of our block was the manner in which everyone who lived there seemed like extended family. It was no exaggeration to say you knew every single person who lived in every house on the street. Because we lived in such close proximity, I often felt as if my friends’ parents were surrogate aunts and uncles, watching over us as we played and fought with each other. It was difficult to get away with any mischief.
2. Another major influence in the development of our character was our church and school. Most Blessed Sacrament, 56th and Chestnut Avenue. Although there were times when I wished the sisters who taught us had been less rigid in their utilization of the yardstick as a device of discipline, the years I spent there as a student provided me a solid foundation upon which future educational endeavors could be met. I now recall those early years with a sense of gratitude and fondness toward the fine women who sacrificed so much to answer a higher calling. Despite my later alienation from organized religion, the people who constituted the local parish were among the finest I’ve encountered in my 40 years.
3. Inevitably, childhood memories primarily consist of how we spent our leisure time—particularly during the summer months. On Cecil Street and the small blocks that surrounded it, playtime meant engaging in some variation of baseball: stickball, half ball, box ball, step ball, wall ball, etc. To escape the insufferable midsummer heat, the teenagers in the area would occasionally turn on the fire hydrant at the end of the block. Peering into the past is usually an exercise in gazing through “rose colored glasses.” Yet many of the societal ills that now plague our nation existed then: domestic abuse, alcoholism, racism, teenage gang warfare, to name a few. Even as school children, we were aware that all was not well with our insulated, tiny world. But there was never any concern about being snatched off the street by a stranger, perhaps because that nosy Mrs. So-and-So was keeping such a close eye on us.
4. I now live in a suburban community in southern New Jersey. It is quiet and peaceful enough, and there
is relatively little crime. However, for the 10 years I’ve been a resident here, I have seen the homes on the cul-de-sac in which I live change hands so many times I’ve lost count. There have been (and still are) neighbors whose names I do not know, and I’m certain they do not know the names of my children. I am not totally blameless for this circumstance because it would be simple enough for me to introduce myself and my family to them, but I get the distinct impression that some of them would prefer to remain strangers.
5. Maybe it is the disparity between the “neighborhood” in which I was raised and the one my children call home that I now bemoan. Most of the residents of my development (myself included) appear to be much too busy to engage in the process of building a neighborhood or a “community.” Many of the people living here perceive their houses as “starter-homes”—transitional residences where they must live until they are financially secure enough to purchase a larger (and more isolated) single-family home. The vast majority of families living here need the income generated by both parents to sustain the lifestyle we have chosen and desire. In the process, we have become alienated from one another.
6. In spite of my grievances, I do enjoy where I now live. My children are growing up in an environment somewhat free of the chaos and violence that exists in some of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods; the school system is providing a more-than-adequate education; and there is a veritable smorgasbord of community-sponsored activities and sports programs. However, there is an ineffable void—one that might be addressed if we took the time out from running our children from one event to another to become acquainted, discover our mutual interests and hopes for the future, and fill in the missing pieces of the communal puzzle.
Paper For Above instruction
The juxtaposition of childhood memories from Southwest Philadelphia in the 1960s and the contemporary suburban community in southern New Jersey illustrates profound shifts in community cohesion, social dynamics, and personal identity. These contrasting environments exemplify how geography, social fabric, and communal practices influence individual development and societal health.
During the 1960s in Southwest Philadelphia, community life was characterized by close-knit relationships, shared experiences, and a collective sense of responsibility. The author vividly recalls how everyone knew each other, and the communal bonds extended beyond mere acquaintance to become akin to extended family members. This closeness fostered a sense of safety and moral oversight that contributed positively
to young people's socialization. The local church and school further strengthened communal ties, providing moral guidance, stability, and a nurturing environment despite the rigid disciplinary practices, which are now viewed with a nuanced perspective. These institutions played a pivotal role in shaping the moral and educational foundation of children, exemplifying the importance of community centers in fostering social stability and moral development (Putnam, 2000).
Leisure activities such as baseball and the communal use of fire hydrants to beat the summer heat encapsulate the simplicity and authenticity of childhood experiences in that era. Despite the acknowledgement of societal issues like domestic abuse, racism, and gang violence, there was an underlying sense of community resilience and protective oversight. The neighborhood environment was perceived as safe because of the watchful eyes of community members, reflecting a collective efficacy that mitigated the risk of external threats (Sampson, Raudenbush, & Earls, 1997).
In contrast, the suburban community in southern New Jersey signals a significant transformation in community engagement and social connectivity. The high turnover rate of residences and the apparent anonymity among neighbors depict a shift toward transient, individualistic lifestyles. The residents’ perception of their homes as "starter homes" and their preoccupation with personal and financial pursuits symbolize a departure from the communal ethos that once defined neighborhoods. This alienation, driven by economic imperatives and busy schedules, hampers the development of meaningful social relationships and community bonds (Helliwell & Putnam, 2004). Such environments may inadvertently foster social isolation, which has been linked to adverse mental health outcomes and diminished societal trust (Kawachi & Berkman, 2000).
However, the author expresses a nuanced appreciation for the relative safety, educational opportunities, and recreational amenities available in the suburban setting. These elements contribute to a stable environment conducive to child development. Yet, the sense of a missing communal thread—the void—speaks to a broader societal challenge: How to cultivate social capital amidst modern societal pressures? Building social capital, defined as the networks and norms that facilitate cooperation and mutual benefit, remains essential for fostering resilient communities (Coleman, 1990).
The stark differences between the two environments highlight the importance of social cohesion in nurturing individual development and societal well-being. In Philadelphia’s neighborhoods, communal bonds serve as informal social safety nets, reducing crime and enhancing social trust. Conversely,
suburban environments require deliberate efforts to cultivate community engagement, social interactions, and local participation to foster similar benefits. Initiatives such as community events, neighborhood associations, and local recreational programs can act as catalysts in bridging the social divide and rekindling communal bonds (Kraut et al., 2002).
Furthermore, understanding these dynamics underscores the ongoing importance of community institutions churches, schools, and local organizations in maintaining social cohesion and fostering a sense of belonging. As societies evolve, policymakers and community leaders must recognize the need to promote social capital to mitigate the adverse effects of social isolation. In conclusion, bridging the gap between different community environments requires a conscious effort to prioritize social relationships and communal activities that nurture trust, cooperation, and a shared identity.
References
Coleman, J. S. (1990). Foundations of Social Theory. Harvard University Press.
Helliwell, J. F., & Putnam, R. D. (2004). The Social Context of Well-Being. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 359(1449), 1435–1446.
Kawachi, I., & Berkman, L. F. (2000). Social Cohesion, Social Capital, and Health. In L. F. Berkman & I. Kawachi (Eds.), Social Epidemiology (pp. 174–190). Oxford University Press.
Kraut, R., et al. (2002). Building Successful Online Communities: Evidence-Based Social Design. The MIT Press.
Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. Simon & Schuster.
Sampson, R. J., Raudenbush, S. W., & Earls, F. (1997). Neighborhoods and Violent Crime: A Multilevel Study of Collective Efficacy. Science, 277(5328), 918–924.