The suburbs are quiet and peaceful, the city loud and dangerous. Does that stereotype also apply to the kids who grow up there?

"They think that we're more exposed to things like drug and sex and things like that," says 17-year-old William Long, who lives in the city.

"And like we've been exposed to more of the city culture that's rougher," adds 18-year-old Alex McGlynn, also an urbanite.

"I hate saying it but maybe that's more of their lifestyle, maybe it's more of that," says 18-year-old suburbanite, Eric Trice.

"In the suburban area you're kind of sheltered and not exposed to it," adds 17-year-old Kaycee Hoyt, who also lives in a suburb.

Are city kids more likely to drink, smoke, do drugs, have sex, steal and fight than kids who live in the suburbs? According to a survey of 11,000 teenagers by the Manhattan Institute, the answer is 'No.'

"It makes sense," says sociologist Wendy Simonds, Ph.D. "It doesn't surprise me at all. I don't think that suburban kids are that different."

Experts say in today's culture, with television, the Internet and sprawling metro areas, trends, both good and bad, travel at light speed - and don't stop at the city limits.

"The boundaries between suburb and city are just not necessarily firm boundaries," says Dr. Simonds.

"It's not really the place, it's the kids and their upbringing, I would say," says city kid Christin Gibson, 17.

Experts agree. The most important ingredient in a safe and healthy childhood isn't political geography - it is parents.

By Larry Eldridge, Jr.
CWK Network, Inc.

While the differences between lifestyles of teenagers living in suburban versus urban areas may not be as great as has been believed in the past, there is one area statistics show that still remains very different - the homeless population. Recent statistics have shown the following.

• Compared to homeless individuals from other areas, the suburban homeless as a group are predominantly female. Homeless rural individuals include greater shares of Native Americans, people aged 35 to 44, high school drop-outs and smaller shares of black non-Hispanic clients.
• A larger proportion of urban homeless (21 percent) report staying in places not meant for habitation than is true for suburban individuals (12 percent).
• Urban area homeless individuals are more likely than those from rural areas to have used a soup kitchen and a drop-in center in their lifetime The availability of these programs outside urban areas probably affects these results.
• Urban homeless are considerably poorer than other homeless individuals. Clients' median income is $250 in urban locations and $395 in suburban areas. Also, 15 percent of urban homeless individuals report no income over the last 30 days compared to only six to seven percent in suburban areas.

By Larry Eldridge, Jr.
CWK Network, Inc.

Whether you are in a suburban or urban area, an important fact to keep in mind is that most violent crimes take place between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., which means that you need to be especially careful when going out at night. Experts have devised the following tips to help increase safety.

• Always map your route in advance, both coming and going.
• Be alert at all times. Remember that headphones and other similar items can reduce your level of awareness.
• Notice pedestrian traffic. If people start leaving an area at a certain time, maybe you should, too.
• Walk close to the street, away from shrubbery, trees and doorways. On less busy streets at night, it may be safer for you to walk in the street than on the sidewalk.
• Whenever possible, avoid shortcuts through deserted parks, vacant lots and unlit passageways.
• Whistles and other noisemakers could prove helpful in an emergency. Don't be embarrassed to use them if you feel threatened.

If you're going out with several children, whenever possible:

• Pair adults and children. It's better for an adult to watch over a particular child than for all adults to try and keep track of all the children at the same time.
• Pair the children to start teaching them to look out for one another.

Other miscellaneous tips to remember include the following.

• Keep a list of credit cards numbers at home, as well as of any other items that you carry with you and would need to replace in case of loss.
• Keep the names and phone numbers of relatives and close friends with you so they can be easily notified in case of accident or emergency.
• Never discuss personal information with strangers.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a place or situation, leave right away and get help if necessary.

American Planning Association
Smart Growth Network