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

Avery M. Guest, Charis E. Kubrin and Jane K. Cover
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Avery M. Guest: Department of Sociology, Box 353340, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-3340, USA, peto@u.washington.edu
Charis E. Kubrin: Department of Sociology, 409 Phillips Hall, George Washington University, 801 22nd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA, charisk@gwu.edu
Jane K. Cover: Department of Sociology, Box 353340, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-3340, USA, janec@u.washington.edu

Urban Studies, 2008, vol. 45, issue 3, 501-526

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2008
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:45:y:2008:i:3:p:501-526

DOI: 10.1177/0042098007087333

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