"After decades of frantic mobility and homogenization, we are seeing a return to placeness, along with more choices for individuals, families, and communities."
This Newsweek piece expands on data that since the 1970, the percent of Americans who "relocate" has dropped from 20% to under 14%. Being able to work from home, living within means, choosing family over corporate advancement all impact the trend. This "localism" is having a positive impact on local business support, local weekly newspapers, and commitment to community institutions. Sounds like Afton.
An encouraging and relevant statistic for us as educators is the following: "There are well over 65,000 general-purpose governments, and with so many "small towns," the average local jurisdiction population in the United States is 6,200, small enough to allow nonprofessional politicians to have a serious impact." It is a reminder to us that that along with preparing students for college and careers, we need to frame opportunities for them to practice civic responsibility and participation because Afton will be calling on them to plan and manage its future.
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