Search the Community

I do not agree with the presumption that to understand a society, one must study its major cities. Cities have different populations from rural and suburban areas with different values and expectations. The racial and socioeconomic makeup of major cities vs. rural or suburban areas are very different. In studying a major city in the U.S., researchers may find the population is a majority African American. Drawing conclusions regarding society in the U.S. would skew towards that population and not reflect the interests and values of other racial groups. Furthermore, cities may have more low income residents, so economic characteristics will not extrapolate to the population as a whole. Some interests and values city residents have are not shared by rural or suburban residents. For example, city dwellers are less likely to own a car. While they may still covet the latest models, people outside the city will place a greater value on car ownership and having the fanciest wheels. For a person outside the city, a lawn is something to spend their weekends grooming and keeping perfect. In the suburbs, the lawn is a sort of trophy or symbol of success. In the city, lawns virtually don’t exist and people show their pride in others ways. In cities, access to cultural events is easier than in rural or suburban areas. If we look at a city population we may conclude that Opera is very popular because the Opera is sold out at every performance. Opera is not as easily found in rural areas and though there may be lots of Opera lovers, there aren’t enough to support an Opera company outside the city. There are many city residents who live there because they have access to the arts. They don’t want to move out of the city because they would no longer be able to go to the museum or Opera at the drop of a hat. They value that aspect of living in a city. By studying only a city’s residents, researchers are going to miss many characteristics of a society. They may also place an emphasis on values not every person in a society shares. While studying a major city may give insight to a society it will surely omit a broad range of what a population thinks and holds dear.

Please rate my essay. I have exam end of this month. To understand the most important characteristics of a society, one must study its major cities. Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position. The culture, religion, basic society rules, education and so forth are the main elements to identify the most important characteristics of a society. At the same time, the society is made up of a collection of individuals. So to get the information about their root over centuries, as stated in the statement, only studying the major cities are always subjected to outside influences. Therefore, I believe that studying the major cities of a society won’t provide its most significant characters. Major cities particularly design to attract people with new tradition, styles, fashion, working opportunities, standard education and other main reasons. Most of its traditions are highly influence by outside countries which are developed. For example, Colombo is the major economic place in Sri Lanka. People in this place live in different styles than other areas in Sri Lanka. Major businesses, industries, garments, main education centers and other important sectors are located here. The perspectives of people are different such as wearing dresses, religious view, political background, choosing education. However, it won’t be most of their original life styles. Most of the people in city should have come from far away from cities and their ancestors and relatives should live in that distance places. This village people life style exposes the actual characteristics of the modern people who have shifted to cities. To study a society, we need to understand the behavior, custom, religion, education level of every person from most areas of a country and agriculture and other main works of these most region of the nation to measure people income level. For example, people in Jaffna mainly do farming. In Nuwaraelliya people work at tea plantation. However, other part of the Sri Lanka, People mostly work in IT industries and other standard jobs. Moreover, the dressing styles for women in Colombo and other main cities are also totally different from other village area. Celebrating any religious activities are for their entertainment in cities while in rural area, people celebrate with full of dedication for God. Food habits in main cities are mostly western related food such as Pizza, Burger, and Noodle etc. Conversely, we can get traditional foods in village area only. In conclusion, as the examples provides in the above paragraph, we definitely need to visit to most part of the country where we can study the most significant elements to perceive the society. On the other hand, as given in the statement, custom of cities are highly influenced by other places because cities confine with different countries, religion and language. Therefore, they won’t reveal the characteristics of the society.