Rural Development Perspectives: Focus on Youth

摘要

The 1970's brought a decade of change for rural America. Employment opportunities expanded and broadened, a reversal occurred in the long-time trend of rural outmigration, and technological advances--especially in transportation and communication--transformed rural life. During this decade, considerable progress was made in the quantity and quality of public facilities and services available to rural people. Despite this progress, rural America continues to lag urban America in incomes and numerous other measures of social and economic well-being. In addition, rural communities have shared with urban communities considerable growth in such social problems as marital conflict and divorce, alcohol and drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, and crime. Clearly, the future of rural America is at least partially dependent on how well today's rural youth are prepared to participate and contribute to an improved way of life in their communities.