Back to Search Start Over

Perceptions of Quality of Life in Rural Open-Country Areas: A Case Study.

Authors :
Georgia Univ., Athens. Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology.
Pieper, Hanns G.
Publication Year :
1974

Abstract

Concerned with Southern populations of open-country rural areas, the objectives of this study were: (1) identification of changes in quality of life of the study population since 1960; (2) delineation of those aspects of quality of life considered inadequate by the residents; and (3) testing of the hypothesis that community leaders, due to their more favorable socio-economic and political status, view rural living conditions differently than the residents themselves. Via personal interview, respondents were asked questions relative to 6 areas: educational opportunities; county government and law enforcement; environmental conditions; availability of community services; income; and general quality of life for selected subgroups. The sample county, predominantly rural nonfarm, was almost 50 percent black; median education level was 9.0; and median family income was $5,973. Of the 25 community leaders, randomly chosen, 18 completed the interview. The randomly selected household sample afforded 72 completed questionnaires. Black respondents constituted a subsample of the total household group with 31 responses. Results revealed that community leaders tended to rate the current situation more favorably than the other two groups; all groups reported progress but the black group noted a slight decline in income, though they responded favorably to educational opportunities. (JC)

Details

Database :
ERIC
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
ED101879
Document Type :
Reports - Research