The Levittown project does not seem to address the issues outlined in the “Building Suburbia” connected to social roles and ethnic diversity. Instead, Levittown focuses on efficiency. The author of this project decided that it is possible to apply a principle used in different industries, such as manufacturing, to the process of constructing homes. Hence, mass production became of varied elements of homes became the center, although some differences such as coloring were allowed. Picture 1 shows the process of house construction of Levittown. Additionally, efficiency is displayed in other aspects, such as the shared plumbing system of the kitchen and bathroom.
While the construction process is essential, the issue of social roles in suburban areas arises. In “Building Suburbia,” the author states the following – “if suburban space has somehow resisted ethnic diversity, it has been even less accommodating to the changes in household composition and women’s roles” (Hayden, 15). Thus, one can argue that the Levittown project addresses the critical problems of Suburbia by providing affordable housing, for only $9,000, which would allow for inclusivity of different social groups.
Some of the social roles that are prescribed into the displayed way of life and reinforced through video are the young people, for whom Levittown was constructed. Levittown was designed for young people, meaning that the standard roles and responsibilities of different community members could be altered here, since due to affordability, different people could purchase a home in this community.
Work Cited
Hayden, Dolores. Building Suburbia. Vintage, 2004.