Final answer:
Suburban communities shifted towards socially conservative views and economic individualism as part of a larger post-WWII migration known as white flight, which created socio-economic isolation and homogeneity reinforcing certain norms and ideals. Suspicion of federal government interventions contributed to this shift, as did the desire to embody a lifestyle of affluence and personal success.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question focuses on the shift towards socially conservative views and emphasis on economic individualism in suburban communities. This shift can be traced back to the post-WWII era when suburbs saw an explosion on the American landscape. The desire of middle-class Americans to escape the challenges of city life and attain the American dream by moving to the suburbs brought not only a change in domicile but also in perspectives and values.
With the emergence of suburbia, there was a large migration of white, middle-class families leaving the cities, taking with them economic resources and contributing to a sort of socio-economic isolation. This migration, often referred to as white flight, led to shifts in community dynamics and exacerbated racial and economic divides. As a result, the suburbs often had a homogeneity that reinforced certain conservative social norms and ideals.
Additionally, the rise of the suburbs coincided with a time of significant social change in America. Many conservatives felt an increasing suspicion toward federal government interventions, such as the enforcement of the separation of church and state, legalizing abortion, and the perceived support of liberal causes. Evangelicals responded by supporting fiscally conservative policies like tax breaks, reduction in welfare programs, and decreasing federal government size while advocating for traditional values in social domains.
In this context, suburbia wasn't just about location but also about a desired lifestyle, embodying both affluence and a set of social and economic ideals that increasingly leaned towards conservatism and individualism. These suburban communities reinforced economic individualism through homeownership, private amenities, and the perception that success derived from personal achievement and independence rather than collective urban community efforts.