Being raised in a small town, I usually automatically have the southern, classic, church raised, "mom and pop" view on some of today's controversies. Being raised in a small town, always being around "good old people", and going to a southern baptist church every Sunday morning while growing up has been my guide of right and wrong in today's world and helping me make the right choices while transitioning into adulthood. However, despite how "close-minded" old folks around my small town may be, they have always been capable of making the biblically correct decision when in controversy. As a young adult from a small town, preparing to move away and attend college, I have already faced plenty of heated debates with people that have opposite views and morals than I. Being an opinionated young adult can get you into some sticky situations sometimes, but I love nothing more than a good debate with somebody who may see something differently than I. While I have my opinion, and you may have your completely opposite opinion, I will still never tell you that you are flat out wrong. Your opinion may be completely contrary to mine, but you are still entitled to speak for what you believe is right, and that's not for me to judge or tell you that you are wrong.
While I may be from a small town, this does not mean I am close-minded. As a matter of fact, I have kept an open mind with just about everything in the recent controversy (ie: gay marriage, transgendering, abortion, legalization of marijuana, etc.) However, if you were to ask anyone 60 and up that was born and raised here, they would most likely give you a very biblical opinion, which will most likely disagree with everything that's being legalized these days, following with scripture to back it up. On the contrary, young adults that were born and raised here will most likely keep an open mind to the pros and cons on the subject and decide on their own what they think is right... due to the changes in public schooling, technology, social media, and pop culture.
1. Any young adult born from 1991-2000 has been exposed to the age of advanced technology.
Yes, even in our small town where 4G LTE didn't exist until 2012. I was born in 1997, and while wireless internet didn't exist at the time around here, it came about here in the old small town when I was around 9 years old. Starting at around the age of 10-12, you start your psychological development of social placement and the need for belonging (proven fact), and that's when everybody my age started joining social media sites... thus, the pressure for me to join MySpace and Facebook was on. I wasn't allowed to have MySpace, so I created a Facebook in 2009 (11 years old). Creating a Facebook opened a new door of exposure to me, and sometimes I wish I had never created an account on a social media site at such a young age. But, this is how I learned the opposite side of the world... the non-biased, non-religion based world. Although it was harsh and awakening, it was still a great way to find myself, develop my sense of individuality, and develop my own opinions about upcoming disputes. The door to the outside world is still opened, even in the valleys of NC. Thank you, internet.
2. Anyone attending a public high school from 2006-now is exposed to a wide diversity of teenagers/young adults.
Again, even in our small town where almost everybody is raised in church and pretty much all the same morals. Even though you may think of a small town high school with sheltered teenagers, there's still those who moved from somewhere away to here with a totally different outlook, and also those who developed a more... er, untamed, unique personality. Thus, creating an open door for a different side of the world for us "small-town kids".
3. Most everyone in graduating high school classes from 2006-now go off to college.
According to statistics gathered in 2011, about 68.3% of high school graduates enroll in college (Synonym). In my school district, I would guess that around 70% of high school graduates go to college after high school. However, finishing college with a degree might have a little bit of a lower percentage. If you have been to college, regardless of what type or where it's located, and regardless of how you were raised, you can admit that you were exposed to some things that shocked you and made you think a little deeper. Therefore, young adults from small towns that go off to college will most likely develop a more open mind and see the world a little differently. Every newly-college aged friend that I have, whom are all spread around at different colleges, have come to me with a story about some crazy encounter with a raging extremist in their psych class, an atheist that made them cry in their world politics class debate, or a gay marriage enthusiast group parading around campus with signs in protest of the outlawing. One of my closest friends was the poster child for the classic sheltered, small-town good girl before she began college at a university, and college seemed to (abruptly) open her eyes about lots of things in the world and gave her a stronger sense of self-belonging and helped develop her own opinions. She is truly a remarkable person, and she will always be a good girl with a good head on her shoulders, but now she is a stronger, more outspoken person with realistic views on life because of her exposure to the diverse world.
4. Most every teen/young adult that grew/grow up here eventually want a way out to explore the world and experience different cultures.
You can ask just about every 6th grader to 12th grader if they love this town and wish to stay forever, and 98% of them will say "absolutely not". While this small town tucked in the valleys of the North Carolina/ Tennessee mountains is breathtakingly naturally beautiful, no young adult wishes to stay here where the main source of entertainment is Walmart. Besides, there's not much here for young, newly-graduated adults. Most wish to rush through high school and find a way out, whether it be a job far off in another state, or college on the other end of the state (or country). Most every teenager growing up here longs to experience the big city life, go new places, and befriend new people... as far away from here as possible. So, with the choice span of jobs and college being very slim, most have motivation to escape to a new, larger, and more developed area. Therefore, most obtain a new mindset and self-establishment by leaving this small town and experiencing the diverse environment of the big city. Those raised in a small town and flee to a large city for college or work after high school become the smartest there is, having been raised with good morals and a strong sense of right and wrong, but also developing an open mind to the outside world. This "small-town-but-now-big-city" adult will be good with making the right decisions.
I hope this blog thought was informative and enjoyable to read!
Be back next week.
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