OUR CHANGING CULTURE

OUR CHANGING CULTURE

Ronald J. Pawley

June 22, 2021

Is there a trend that city living is becoming a culture dominated by childless people?

Live in the city? You’re not alone. Urban populations are growing like gangbusters, and they show no sign of stopping.

By 2030, about three out of every five people in the world will be bona fide urbanites. With cities offering copious perks in terms of amenities, transportation, culture, and community, this trend is all well and good…until you consider that many cities simply aren’t suited for that kind of population boom—yet.

How will cities repurpose and transform their resources to accommodate this upcoming influx of urban individuals? Here’s a sneak peek at what could be coming to a city near you.

Today, it seems that the cities are gaining traction to avoid the “quicksand of an aimless, defeated Bohemia” as unruly gangs were once overtaking many cities.

Are cities experimenting with ridding our cities of children?  Families use to abandon cities for the suburbs; due to policies that failed to keep streets safe, allowing schools to decline, and made homes unaffordable due, in part, to an increasing tax base.

In the wake of a demographic group change, arose a class of empty-nesters, singles, professionals, and folks who were pretty well off financially and college students.  City life has become vibrant as the cities across America are “reborn”.  Singles, professionals and empty nesters like the feeling of a deep sense of “community” bonding.

There are, however, areas in the city that are still poor, Are middle-class families being pushed out, or are they fleeing to the suburbs?  So, it begs the question: Are cities without children sustainable, and more important, are they desirable, rather than primarily a single population?

Ronald J. Pawley personally knows single folks who feel that city living dramatically enhances their social experience, status, and closer proximity to entertainment.

Traditional living seems no longer the core for city dwellers such as schools, neighborhood associations, church and other traditional values that form family unity in days gone by.

However, there are still family-friendly tree-lined neighborhoods that are still in existence in some cities. But they are looking for more spacious yards and living space in communities responsive to family life than the city has to offer. The important component for families is that they are deeply attracted to open space like a spacious back yard.

It seems apparent that families need more affordable and desirable, safe neighborhoods, great schools, more space for their children.  These outstanding attributes are required for cities to regain a family-oriented environment.  Cities need to promote a mixture of density options, according to research.

As Joel Kotkin so eloquently framed the message: 

“Ultimately, everything boils down to what purpose a city should serve.  History has shown that rapid declines in childbearing…..correlate with an erosion of cultural and economic vitality.  The post-family city appeals only to a certain segment of the population, one that, however fluent, cannot ensure a prosperous future on its own.  If cities want to nurture the next generation of urbanites and keep more of their younger adults, they will have to find a way to welcome back families, which have sustained cities for the millennia and given the urban experience much of its humanity.”

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