American houses and safety

[Koldo]

One thing that amuses me about American culture is that despite the existence of a gun culture, this is what I picture as a typical American house:

If you are American perhaps you don't see what is the problem with that, but here's the least I would expect from someone that was actually worried by having their home invaded: iron bars on the windows and either a 3+ meters wall around the house or a smaller wall with some kind of spike atop it. So, what's up with that?

 

[Stevicus]

One thing that amuses me about American culture is that despite the existence of a gun culture, this is what I picture as a typical American house:

If you are American perhaps you don't see what is the problem with that, but here's the least I would expect from someone that was actually worried by having their home invaded: iron bars on the windows and either a 3+ meters wall around the house or a smaller wall with some kind of spike atop it. So, what's up with that?

One might still see plenty of houses with bars on the window or iron screen doors on the front. Many homes now have camera and alarm systems installed. Those who have means often live behind gated communities with security guards. Some people live out in the sticks and have bomb shelters. Someone at work was telling me about some family members having some houses in a remote area, with tunnels connecting them, as if they're preparing for Armageddon.

 

[Kfox]

One thing that amuses me about American culture is that despite the existence of a gun culture, this is what I picture as a typical American house:

If you are American perhaps you don't see what is the problem with that, but here's the least I would expect from someone that was actually worried by having their home invaded: iron bars on the windows and either a 3+ meters wall around the house or a smaller wall with some kind of spike atop it. So, what's up with that?

That is a typical American house. The vast majority of Americans do not live in the crazy violent neighborhoods like the the ones you hear about in the media.

 

[JustGeorge]

Its a good question. I'm not sure why folks would rather pay for a security system than bars and protective walls. I guess its just cultural.

And that is a typical well off upper middle class American home, in my opinion.

 

[Valjean]

Some people do put bars on their windows, surveillance systems inside and outside, and fences around their property. Depends on the neighborhood and paranoia of the occupants.
The question I more often see from foreigners is why we build our houses from wood.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Its a good question. I'm not sure why folks would rather pay for a security system than bars and protective walls. I guess its just cultural.

And that is a typical well off upper middle class American home, in my opinion.

Yeah, that house would be more suburban here. Upper middle class.

 

[Stevicus]

Its a good question. I'm not sure why folks would rather pay for a security system than bars and protective walls. I guess its just cultural.

And that is a typical well off upper middle class American home, in my opinion.

For those looking for a really secure home, this site still has some old missile sites available: SITES FOR SALE

Someday, every American home will look like this:

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

One thing that amuses me about American culture is that despite the existence of a gun culture, this is what I picture as a typical American house:

If you are American perhaps you don't see what is the problem with that, but here's the least I would expect from someone that was actually worried by having their home invaded: iron bars on the windows and either a 3+ meters wall around the house or a smaller wall with some kind of spike atop it. So, what's up with that?

A 3 m wall or a wall with spikes would be illegal in most places.

 

[Koldo]

One might still see plenty of houses with bars on the window or iron screen doors on the front.

How often?

Many homes now have camera and alarm systems installed.

I have always had the impression this is much more common than building a tall wall or putting
iron bars on windows. Is this accurate?

Those who have means often live behind gated communities with security guards.

This is generally the case in Brazil too. It is worth of note even houses in gated communities generally have walls between each other by the way.

Some people live out in the sticks and have bomb shelters. Someone at work was telling me about some family members having some houses in a remote area, with tunnels connecting them, as if they're preparing for Armageddon.

Classical american paranoia.

 

[Stevicus]

How often?

It doesn't appear to be as common as it once was, though I do see some occasionally. There's usually one or two in every neighborhood.

I have always had the impression this is much more common than building a tall wall or putting
iron bars on windows. Is this accurate?

Nowadays that cameras are cheaper and more ubiquitous, yes I would say so. Although just about every yard is walled in my area. Many people have swimming pools, and walls/gates are required by law for pools (safety reasons). I've also heard that bars on windows aren't as popular as they used to be.

This is generally the case in Brazil too. It is worth of note even houses in gated communities generally have walls between each other by the way.

Same here.

Classical american paranoia.

At least it breaks up the monotony.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Some people do put bars on their windows, surveillance systems inside and outside, and fences around their property. Depends on the neighborhood and paranoia of the occupants.
The question I more often see from foreigners is why we build our houses from wood.

Most bars are inner city and an indicator the neighborhood your in isn't exactly safe.

 

[Kfox]

How often?

I have always had the impression this is much more common than building a tall wall or putting
iron bars on windows. Is this accurate?

The only time I ever saw bars on a window was when visiting a high crime neighborhood. Most typical neighborhoods that have Homeowners Associations will not allow that stuff.

This is generally the case in Brazil too. It is worth of note even houses in gated communities generally have walls between each other by the way.

Where I live it's not walls that separates properties, but a fence; and this is usually the case for the back yard. In the front yard there is often nothing separating your property from your neighbors.

 

[Koldo]

Yeah, that house would be more suburban here. Upper middle class.

I always find the word 'suburb' really odd. The word in portuguese is 'subúrbio', very close in terms of how it is written and it refers to the exact same thing (the outskirts), however with a VERY different connotation. And that's because the outskirts here in Brazil are, in general, poor areas, some resembling slums, to the point that calling someone a suburban sounds offensive.

 

[Koldo]

The only time I ever saw bars on a window was when visiting a high crime neighborhood. Most typical neighborhoods that have Homeowners Associations will not allow that stuff.

Where I live it's not walls that separates properties, but a fence; and this is usually the case for the back yard. In the front yard there is often nothing separating your property from your neighbors.

A 3 m wall or a wall with spikes would be illegal in most places.

Which is really weird considering how Americans are often worried about security to the point nearly half of the households have a gun.

Let's make things that prevent me from becoming a victim and won't hurt anyone illegal... But let's make it trivial to acquire something that can easily get people killed on the excuse I need to protect my family... why? Just why...