A Description of the Community Participation of Young Adults in Polk County, Nebraska

The basic purpose of this study was to describe the participation young adults now maintain in community activities according to certain demographic characteristics and the participation they anticipate or desire in future years. The population trends in our nation indicate considerable migration of young adults away from the small rural communities.The out-migration of young adults then places the responsibility of young adult participation in community activities on those remaining in that community.Assuming an interest in the development of small rural communities and its young adults, the question arises, how much, to what degree, and in what types of community activities are the rural young adults now participating? The objectives set for the study included: To describe the amount and type of present participation maintained by young adults in community activities. To determine the change young adults anticipate for their future participation in community activities. To determine and describe the community activities young adults desire. To describe present participation according to sex, education, age, work time activity, income, number of children, age of oldest child, religion, parental activity, and number of “close” friends. This is a descriptive study, describing the community participation of these young adults presently residing in Polk County, Nebraska. Advisor:Charles L. Stoneciphe