Urbanism, Neighborhood Context, and Social Networks

Abstract

Theories of urbanism suggest that the urban context erodes individuals’ strong social ties with friends and family. Recent research has narrowed focus to the neighborhood context, emphasizing how localized structural disadvantage affects community–level cohesion and social capital. In this paper, we argue that neighborhood context also shapes social ties with friends and family—particularly for community–dwelling seniors. We hypothesize that neighborhood disadvantage, residential instability, and disorder restrict residents’ abilities to cultivate close relationships with friends and family, regardless of whether they live in the same neighborhood. Using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, we find that older adults who live in disadvantaged neighborhoods have smaller social networks. Neighborhood disadvantage is also associated with fewer close network ties and less frequent interaction—but only among men. Residents of disordered neighborhoods have both smaller networks and weaker ties. We urge scholars to pay greater attention to how neighborhood context contributes to disparities in network–based access to resources.