Age Differences in Assessment and Use of a Suburban Neighborhood Among Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Fifty-nine suburban children and adolescents (ages 8-18) were interviewed about their neighborhood, its characteristics and their activities. The participants were distributed among three age groups: pre-adolescents (average age = 9.5 years), young adolescents (12.8 years), and older adolescents (16.8 years). In addition each photographed all neighborhood places psychologically important to them. Older adolescents had fewest activity and social ties to the neighborhood. However, there were no age differences in evaluation. There was also consensus regarding the neighborhood as a place for activities for children. The pattern of results for older adolescents is considered in terms of place-dependence and experience-based ties.