Ecological Struggle in the American Society
The current society has been characterized by rapid developments on all facets of life, that is, political, social, economic, and technological aspects. As a result of the progress witnessed, the human society has responded in a similar fashion as the human race has progressed far beyond that of the past centuries. The accompanying change has in the same way instigated individual lifestyles and also group dynamics regarding issues of communication and interrelationships. Human beings are differentiated from other species on the basis of the availability of their social or cultural aspects (Stephan, 2001). In this case, in addition to having bionic systems as in the case of other living organisms, human beings are considered to be more advanced owing to their social element. This aspect formed the basis of Robert Ezra’s Park connotation of human ecology. In this case, human ecology is an analogy that represents both the natural ecosystem as found in other living things, and the societies formed by human beings.
Park used this analogy to describe the existing community he was part of while assessing the different social aspects and challenges that confronted the Chicago society. His observations were made on the basis of his fieldwork research as well as theoretical considerations to establish a formidable basis that has provided the precedence of a majority of sociological works. His version of the involvement of social issues and his work as a result formed the Chicago School of Sociology (Jorgensen, 2015).
Park’s sociological work seemed to discredit social Darwinism in which case supported competition and hierarchy as status of wealth. According to Park’s perspective, interactive relationships were more important than competition. In this regard, he proposed a notion concerning a web of life, in which case, explained the existence of both the natural and urban environments and their influence on human beings.
Modern American cities today are comprised of individuals from different economic, social, and cultural backgrounds. Such distinctions account for the difference in geographical locations with the more affluent individuals living in designated areas, different from those with low-income backgrounds. This model is explained by Park through his Concentric Zone Theory. In this case, Park suggested that the Central Business District of any city is surrounded for four surrounding zones. These concentric rings are occupied by individuals with successive affluent levels. As such, those of low-income status occupy the first level from the CBD. This region is often occupied by new immigrants who take available housing options which are often at an affordable rate, based on their income. The other levels are comprised of individuals from improved status based on successive affluence status. In this case, these zones are occupied by the working, middle, and commuter classes respectively. The zonal transitions towards the CBD are often characterized by deteriorating housing quality, increased social problems, and low-paying jobs. This concept can be well demonstrated in American cities in which case individuals who live near the Central Business District are from low-income backgrounds. This aspect can be explained by their income levels which do not allow them to live in far locations from their work places as a result of increased transport costs and time, resources they do not have.
Park also indicates that modern cities are ecosystems which have natural areas. In this regard, natural areas comprise of functional sections which comprise of related functions such as social, residential, and business sections, physical barriers such as roads, rivers, and buildings, amongst others, financial divisions which are defined based on the earning potential of constituent groups, such as suburbs and ghettos as well as ethnic enclaves. These aspects are often found major cities in the U.S, aspects often controlled by financial ability.
In relation to social relationships, Park postulated that in as much as competition was an influential role in a majority of human relationships, interrelations among them are equally important. This ironic indication is further refined in Park’s theory of group behavior. According to Park, loyalties or aspects that bind individuals together are directly proportional to the hatred and fear intensity they have in the view of other societies. As such, the following are the four main types of interactions among intergroup (Catton, 2004):
Competition- In this case, individuals pursues their own interests without any consideration of other individuals or groups. This aspect is widely conceived in the human society as each individual competes for the available scarce resources.
Conflict- this relationship exists in instances where individuals or groups aim to eliminate their counterparts. This interaction can also be expressed in a Darwinian perspective of Natural Selection, where the fittest survive. As every individual tries to pave their way, they are often in conflict with other individuals or groups seeking to do the same.
Accommodation- This interaction aims at reducing conflict through the accommodation of differences with the aim of achieving mutual security. In order for group arrangements to succeed, individuals need to accommodate varying ideas in order to achieve common goals.
Assimilation- in this case, individuals may choose to absorb part or some aspects of a different culture into their own. This situation is often related to immigrants in which case they at times absorb part or all cultural aspects of the host nation’s predominant culture.
In conclusion, Park’s fieldwork and research formed a stable basis in the field of Sociology as it is applied in different contextual basis. In addition, it provides a clear understanding of social interactions and their relevance to the society. This aspect is applied in different practical aspects, especially in work environments.
References
Catton, W. (2004). Foundations of human ecology. Sociological Perspectives. Chicago: Wiley Publishers.
Jorgensen, K. (2015). The Chicago school and ecology. American Behaviroal Scientist. New York: Sage Publishers.
Stephan, E. (2001). The concept of community in human ecology. Sociological Perspectives. New York: Sage Publishers.
