Search

The literature suggests a distinction between the instrumental adjustment and the social integration components of adaptation by rural migrants to new environments. Using an index measuring both formal and informal social contacts with natives, the integration process was plotted over time through a cross-sectional analysis of 688 residences for a sample of rural migrants from Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Results suggest that the integration of contemporary rural migrants in new settings is a relatively rapid process. However, our data show that integration is inhibited when: 1) the destination community is large; 2) the migrants have low initial socioeconomic status; and, 3) kin are present in the receiving area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method is presented of Guttman scaling responses to two questions dealing with the relative prestige and difficulty of achievement of occupations. The research was carried out in an Irish rural community in 1965 in the course of a study dealing with the migration planning of rural youth. The analysis yielded two quasi-scales. Both scales gave coefficients of reproducibility of .89, and the other coefficients alto did not meet the requirements necessary to be considered fully unidimensional scales. A comparison of the relative prestige rankings of 14 occupations from this scale and the North-Hatt scale gave a Spearman rank order correlation of .88; and a similar comparison of six occupations with Hall and Jones' rankings for Britain of .94. The correlation of the rankings of 19 occupations common to the prestige and ’difficulty’ scales, here derived, yielded a Spearman rank order correlation of only .51. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of urban dominance on the status structure (occupation, education, income) of the rural-farm population in the U. S. North Central Region was analyzed. Hypotheses based on the diminishing effect urban centers have on the farm population as size of center decreases and as distance from the center increases were tested by a correlational analysis. in addition, the predictive value of these variables for the status structure was assessed by a multiple R analysis. The findings indicated a direct relationship between dominance and farm occupational and income status, and dominance was found to be an adequate predictor of these variables. No relationship was found between dominance and farm educational status. Lack of control of sex differences in educational attainment and the older age structure of the farm population are proposed as reasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relatively large rural-urban differences persisted in the United States in 1960 despite the well-documented narrowing of many of the usual fertility differentials. Higher rural-farm than urban fertility levels were found for all age groups of married women in all census divisions, as measured by the number of children ever-born per 1,000 married women aged 15 to 45. Nine independent variables were successful in explaining a substantial proportion of the variation in rural-farm fertility levels of whites and nonwhites. Location of the farm population with respect to metropolitan area was the most useful "explanatory" variable in most of the analyses. It is suggested that rural-urban fertility differences will continue to diminish as the two sectors become even less differentiated. The apparent strength of the fertility differential in 1960, it is contended, is related to the farm family structure which is not yet obsolete in a large sector of American agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between the age structure of the rural-farm population of the United States by regions and distance from the nearest Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) is investigated. Hypotheses are generated on the basis of the diminishing effect a metropolitan area has upon its hinterland population as distance increases. The findings indicate a direct relationship between proportions of rural-farm youth and distance (operationalized in terms of 50-mile bands) from the nearest SMSA; proportions of rural-farm aged show an inverse relationship with distance. It was also found that those in the younger portion of the economically active segment of the farm age structure exhibited little or no variation with distance. Two factors are proposed that may contribute an additional explanation of the findings: these are size and economic function of urban place and occupational composition of the rural-farm population within distance bands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports an attempt to test the basic assumption that the desire to migrate is inversely related to the degree of satisfaction with the home community, and some related factors on a sample of potential migrants, namely, high school seniors in a rural area of Michigan. It presents a study of the migration attitudes of farm youth from rural areas with relatively high outmigration. It examines some of the social-psychological aspects of migration, which have received relatively less attention than demographic factors. More specifically, this study, examines the residential, occupational, and educational plans of a sample of high school seniors from four rural counties of central Michigan. The focus of this article is the anticipated migration behavior of rural high school seniors about to graduate. In the spring of 1958 a self-administered questionnaire, designed to elicit information on community satisfaction, occupational, residential, and educational aspirations was submitted to the 545 respondents in this study.

The article presents information on recent developments related to rural sociology in the U.S. At the Louisiana State University researcher Alvin L. Bertrand was awarded a Social Science Research Travel Grant to the European Rural Sociological Association Meeting in Saint Woffgang, Austria, from September 24-28, 1962. Louis Guttman served as Distinguished Visiting Professor at Michigan State University during the fall quarter. Guttman was at Michigan State under the joint auspices of the Departments of Psychology and Sociology and Anthropology. An alumnus of the University of Minnesota, where he received the Ph.D. degree in sociology, he has served on the faculty at Cornell University and was a special consultant to the Department of the Army during World War H. Wade H. Andrews has resigned as associate professor of rural sociology to accept a position as U.S.D.A. Social Science Analyst, stationed at Colorado State University. His new responsibilities include coordination of rural sociological research in the Inter-Mountain Area sponsored by the U.S.D.A. Division of Farm Population and Rural Life.

The article presents information about the proceedings of various meetings on sociology. The Executive Committee Meeting, held on Sunday, August 27, 1961, was called to order by President M. E. John. Other members present were Charles R. Hoffer, Paul J. Jehlik, Eugene A. Wilkening and James H. Copp. President-Elect Harold F. Kaufman was unable to attend because of an overseas assignment in India. The Executive Committee agreed that discussions of the relationship of the Rural Sociological Society to the American Sociological Association should be conducted with officials of the Association at the forthcoming meeting of the Association in St. Louis. It was pointed out that the Society and the Association are in a position to further each other's interests through cooperative action. The brochure being prepared by the Committee on the Development of Rural Sociology was discussed, and it was agreed that the membership should be asked at the business meeting for authorization to proceed with its publication. The Business Meeting, held on Sunday, August 27, 1961, was called to order by President M. K. John, who introduced Professor Robert Parks, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Iowa State University. Professor Parks extended greetings from Iowa State University to members of the Rural Sociological Society.

This paper attempts to describe and to summarize by means of a typological analysis the salient characteristics of the population in the United States--Mexican border area. The area under focus consists of the five southwestern states for which data on Spanish surnames were available and the six Mexican states adjacent to the international boundary. Distributions of Spanish surname persons are plotted for cities and minor civil divisions in the five southwestern states. The populations on both sides of the border are examined with respect to selected attributes. Demographic comparisons are made between Spanish surname and non-Spanish surname populations of the five southwestern states. This is followed by a typological analysis summarizing the characteristics of the relevant populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on levels and trends in rural mortality in the U.S. and explores major causes related to it. It describes that mortality exerts a direct influence upon the size of a population and hence it is, suggestively, a factor to be considered in all predictions of population change and growth. The first half of 20th century in the U.S. has witnessed a steady decline in mortality. Data related to it, show that the reduction during this period was of much greater magnitude among urban than among rural people. Many studies have found that small urban centers, ranging in population from 2,500 to 10,000 persons, are characterized by the highest mortality of any residential category. It is suggested that the study of differentials in mortality for the several residence groups should be concerned with the varying importance of specific causes of death as well as with differences in general mortality rates. The analysis of levels and trends, the indispensability of taking account of the factors of age, sex, and race simultaneously with that of residence should also be recognized. Several investigators have pointed out in some detail the many data problems that confront the researcher investigating the relationship between residence and mortality.

Contrary to expectation, rural males in Michigan exhibit higher suicide rates than urban males. The study shows that this difference remains when the two populations are controlled for variations in age, sex, race, and nativity. The rural male suicide rate in Michigan was found to be higher than the urban male suicide rate for both native-born white and foreign-born white persons at almost all ages. While "farmers and farm managers" have a very high suicide rate in Michigan, the majority of "rural" males who commit suicide are engaged in urban occupations and reside in urbanized fringe areas. These findings are based upon analysis of 3,081 cases of suicide in Michigan between 1945 and 1949. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rural Sociology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article investigates the age structure of the rural-farm population in the U.S. By computing the index number for each five-year age group of the urban-rural farm populations, it was shown that the age structure has large proportions of young persons and small proportions in the economically productive as well as the older age group. Age structure differences within the farm population are notable due to variations in social and economic conditions. A summary of the age structure of the farm population of the four regions in the U.S. is presented.

This article is a report of financial statement of the Managing Editor, the statements of Editors and a statement of the action of the Board of Editors. This article informs that the financial statement of the periodical "Rural Sociology" shows actual receipts and expenditures as of July 31, 1960, together with an estimate of the last half of the year. Owing to increased membership subscription and subsidy for the special March issue, the financial position of the journal is favorable. Editors announced a special supplement to the June 1960 issue comprising a bibliographic essay concerning sources relevant to the U.S.-Mexican Border area. This supplement, which will be received by all members and subscribers, was made possible at no cost to the journal. This article also contains the point-wise actions and discussions from the Board of Editors. The article provides information regarding discussion of the Editorial Board on the advantages and disadvantages of adopting a more simplified system of footnoting.

Presents an introduction to the March 1, 1960, issue of the journal "Rural Sociology."