The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1945-05-01
YOUTH READY TO LEAVE HOME

Nearly every urban community IN the
United States, regardless Of its size, seems
to be imbued with the idea that the greater
the population, the greater the munich
pality.
While there may be some difference
of opinion as to the advantages of increased
there is much rivalry between
in the matter of acquiring
larger populations. The effort to attract
new residents receives. attention from the
go-getters of the various booster associa-
tions that add variety to modern life.
While it is entirely proper to seek to
induce others to- move into Key West, there
is much to be gained by developing a
program that will induce the boys and girls
who grow up in our midst to continue their
residence here This observation naturally
applies to community efforts to persuade
local men and women now in the active
service of the nation to make their homes in
Key West when they are ready to begin
private life again.
That Americas municipalities are not
meeting with success in their attempt to re-
ain children who grow up in their midst is
evealed in nationwide survey, recently
completed by the Institute of Student Opin-
on, under the sponsorship of the Scholastic
More than $4,000 senior and junior
high school students in 1,267 schools, in all
sections Of the United States, were asked
whether they expected to stay in their home
town ol community when they completed
their education. Only 35 percent said that
they expected to stay where they now live
and go to school.
The percentage was the same for boys
md girls, but varied somewhat as the size
IF communities varied. Studeents living in
large cities, of more than 100000 popula-
ton, expressed the greatest degree of salts
faction, with 43 percent of the boys and 81
percent of the girls expecting to stay.
In the small towns (2,500 to 10000
population), rs percent of the girls and 73
percent of the boys expect to leave.
In rural areas, 80 percent of the girls
planned to go elsewhere, with only 70 per-
cent of the boys giving expression to SINH
lar views. sslss.
Al reviewsof the poll shows that better
Job opportunities elsewhere is the main
reason for leaving. Second on the list of
reasons is that, despite family ties and
friendships, there is a desire to labor in
another part of the country, or world,
different size town or city, or in another
type community. Other reasons are the
dislike of settling down and the dislike of
the communities in which the students live.
s7aFhe chief reason given by those who
expect to stay in their home towns is that
their present community offers what they
want out of life. The second highest per-
centage of votes was based on family ties
and friendships, and the third was the ex-
istence of good job opportunities.
We call attention to the comment of
NJ. r. Robinson, publisher of the magazine
which announced the polls results. He
says: Young people in small .towns and
rural communities are most discomfort and
small towns must wake up, if they are in
terested in keeping their young people as
citizens of the community"
He cites the example of one small
town in the Middle West where every stu
dent decried the lack of recreational facili-
ties and distressed by boredom, said they
wantel to "teheck out" as soon.as possible.