summarize the key points of the paper:South, Scott and Kyle Crowder. 1997. "Escaping Distressed Neighborhoods: Individual, Community, and Metropolitan Influences." American Journal of Sociology 102:1040-84.

In "Escaping Distressed Neighborhoods: Individual, Community, and Metropolitan Influences," South and Crowder (1997) explore the factors influencing individuals' decisions to leave economically distressed neighborhoods. Here are the key points of the paper:

**Context of Distress**: The authors define distressed neighborhoods as areas marked by high poverty rates, unemployment, and social disorganization, which can impact residents' quality of life.

**Individual Factors**: The study examines the role of individual characteristics—such as age, race, education, and family structure—in informing individuals' decisions to move. Younger, educated residents with family support are more likely to leave distressed areas.

**Community Characteristics**: The paper highlights how the characteristics of neighborhoods themselves, including social cohesion, crime rates, and access to resources, influence migration patterns. More cohesive communities with lower crime rates tend to retain residents longer.

**Metropolitan Context**: The metropolitan environment, including economic opportunities and housing market conditions, plays a significant role in the ability of individuals to escape distressed neighborhoods. Regions with robust job markets and affordable housing are more likely to see residents moving.

**Migration Patterns**: The authors explore patterns of residential mobility, emphasizing that not all individuals have the same opportunities to leave distressed neighborhoods, often reflecting broader systemic inequalities.

**Policy Implications**: The findings suggest that addressing issues in distressed neighborhoods requires consideration of individual, community, and broader metropolitan factors. Policies aimed at improving economic opportunities and neighborhood conditions can facilitate mobility.

Overall, the paper contributes to the understanding of residential mobility by integrating perspectives from individual agency, community dynamics, and larger metropolitan influences.