How Race, Social Networks, and Spatial Context Influence Older Adults’ Attitudes About School Funding
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OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN: HOW RACE, SOCIAL NETWORKS, AND SPATIAL CONTEXT INFLUENCE OLDER ADULTS’ ATTITUDES ABOUT SCHOOL FUNDING A Dissertation Submitted to the Temple University Graduate Board In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY by Corita Brown July 2016 Examining Committee Members: Dr. Carolyn Adams, Advisory Chair, Department of Geography & Urban Studies, Temple University Dr. Gerald Stahler, Department of Geography & Urban Studies, Temple University Dr. Barbara Ferman, Department of Political Science, Temple University Dr. Judith Levine, External Member, Department of Sociology, Temple University ABSTRACT This qualitative, exploratory study uses an interpretive case study design to elucidate key factors influencing the attitudes and behaviors of older adults with regard to public education funding in the context of rapid demographic change. The research was conducted in three first-ring suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the older population is predominately White, and students in the districts come from diverse racial backgrounds. The study examines how social networks and physical environment relate to older people’s attitudes and behaviors with respect to public education funding. Current literature about older adults in neighborhoods focuses primarily on them as recipients of service. In contrast, this study examines older people as political actors and provides a robust and nuanced discussion about how they themselves frame issues of school funding. The project makes a timely contribution to research on the relationship between the growing racial generation divide and support for public education among older adults. It also provides strategy recommendations designed to increase older people’s support for public education funding. ii I dedicate this dissertation to my Grandpa, Bob Brown. Thank you for teaching me about growing older with grace. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to offer my gratitude to the many people who helped me complete this dissertation. Many thanks to my committee, especially my advisor Dr. Carolyn Adams, for her guidance and support. I would also like to thank Dr. Ceasar McDowell and Sally Leiderman for their generous, insightful feedback. Thanks to Dr. Nancy Henkin for providing a flexible workplace, Dr. Austin Becker for helping me move into the 21st century, Dr. Sendy Guerrier for our breakfast talks, Shanee Garner Nelson for early conversations, Paul Gargagliano for photo documentation, Gita Gulati-Partee for much needed encouragement and Temwa Wright for facilitating introductions. Special thanks and love to my parents, Michael and Susan Brown, for their incredible support. I am particularly grateful to my mom for being my most dedicated copy editor. Finally, my deepest appreciation to Ted Hannon for his never-ceasing encouragement and love. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................ iv LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................................... x CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 1 Problem Statement ........................................................................................................... 1 Background and Significance ......................................................................................... 2 Spatial Context .................................................................................................... 6 Social Networks .................................................................................................. 6 Setting for the Study ........................................................................................................ 7 Upper Darby ...................................................................................................... 12 Kennett Square .................................................................................................. 14 Bensalem ............................................................................................................ 16 Research Questions ........................................................................................................ 17 Methodology .................................................................................................................. 18 Structure of the Dissertation ......................................................................................... 18 Definitions ....................................................................................................................... 19 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ..................................................................................... 22 School Funding and Local Control .............................................................................. 22 Education as a Public Good .......................................................................................... 27 Racial/Ethnic Diversity and Public Investments ....................................................... 29 Theoretical Models of White Political Opinion ......................................................... 30 Material Interests .............................................................................................. 31 Racial Sympathies and Resentments .............................................................. 35 Political Ideology .............................................................................................. 38 Framing of Issues .............................................................................................. 39 Aging and Social Context ............................................................................................. 44 v Physical Environment ...................................................................................... 45 Social Networks ................................................................................................ 52 Social Network and Social Capital ................................................................. 55 How This Study Addresses Gaps in the Literature .................................................. 60 CHAPTER 3: METHODS ........................................................................................................... 64 Research Paradigm ........................................................................................................ 64 Settings for the Study .................................................................................................... 66 Site One: Bensalem Township ......................................................................... 68 Site Two: Kennett Township/Kennett Borough ............................................ 72 Site Three: Upper Darby Township ............................................................... 74 Data Collection ............................................................................................................... 75 Key informant interviews ................................................................................ 75 Recruitment of Participants ............................................................................. 76 Pilot Study .......................................................................................................... 80 In-Depth Interviews with Older Adult Participants: ................................... 83 Surveys ............................................................................................................... 84 Focus Groups ..................................................................................................... 85 Field Notes and Project Memos ...................................................................... 88 Data Management .......................................................................................................... 89 Informed Consent ............................................................................................. 89 Meta Data ........................................................................................................... 89 Transcription of Data ........................................................................................ 90 Data Analysis .................................................................................................................. 90 Preparing for Coding ........................................................................................ 91 Coding ................................................................................................................ 91 Theme Building ................................................................................................. 92 Additional Data Analysis Considerations ..................................................... 93 Credibility and Trustworthiness ................................................................... 103 Limitations ....................................................................................................... 105 vi Role of the Researcher ................................................................................................